In the event of a Lauri Markkanen deal, might the Sacramento Kings outbid the Golden State Warriors?
In the event of a Lauri Markkanen deal, might the Sacramento Kings outbid the Golden State Warriors?
The Golden State Warriors seem to be the team
most likely to make a deal for Lauri Markkanen,
if he is going to be traded this offseason.
According to rumours, a Markkanen trade
between the Warriors and the Utah Jazz would
probably involve one of Brandin Podziemski or
Jonathan Kuminga as well as a tonne of
selections or pick swaps (albeit the Warriors
haven’t been willing to trade either player up
until now).
The Sacramento Kings Have A Better Trade Piece Than Anything The Warriors Can Offer
However, while the Warriors may be the only
team seriously connected to Markkanen right
now, the Sacramento Kings were also once
connected to the one-time All-Star and 2022-23
Most Improved Player (MIP) of the Year.
Unfortunately for the Warriors, the Kings, if they
so please, tout a trade centerpiece that is more
valuable than Podziemski, Kuminga, or any other
player that Golden State can realistically offer.
That headliner is soon-to-be third-year forward
Keegan Murray. Murray is not only the superior
player at the moment (see the chart below), but
title-contending clubs also greatly value his
player typology. Murray, a big forward (6’8), has
the potential to join players like OG Anunoby and
Mikal Bridges in the elite role player category. He
can shoot the ball (career 38.4% shooter), defend
(90th percentile Defensive Estimated Plus-Minus
last year, per Dunks & Threes), and have some
upside as a driver (59th percentile true shooting
on drives, per Thinking Basketball).
Player |
Estimated Plus-Minus (Percentile) |
---|---|
Jonathan Kuminga |
+1.0 (79th) |
Keegan Murray |
+1.8 (86th) |
Brandin Podziemski |
+0.1 (71st) |
In the meanwhile, players like Kuminga and
Podziemski have some detrimental weaknesses
that somewhat limit their upside. Kuminga is a
lacklustre passer (14th percentile Passer Rating)
and a bad shooter (32.1% 3-point shooter last
year), while Podziemski is a tiny guard with low-
end creation juice (34th percentile midrange
efficiency). Furthermore, the Kings are able to
match the majority of selection packages that the
Warriors would attempt to provide to the Jazz.
The top 12 protected 2025 first round selection
that the Kings owe the Atlanta Hawks (or the top
10 protected in 2026 if it doesn’t convey) is the
only item that is hurting the Kings. However,
despite that disadvantage, the Kings ought to be
able to deal Murray several first-round selections
and pick swaps in exchange for Markkanen.
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