In a shocking revelation that has left Golden State Warriors fans reeling, it has come to light that the team’s front office, swayed by Draymond Green’s advice, passed on a blockbuster trade for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen roughly a year and a half ago. This decision, driven by fear of dealing with Jazz executive Danny Ainge’s notorious trade demands, could go down as one of the franchise’s most catastrophic missteps, potentially costing them a legitimate shot at extending their dynasty and hoisting a fifth championship banner in the Steph Curry era.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, the Warriors were in discussions to acquire Markkanen, who was then on one of the NBA’s most team-friendly contracts. The trade would have required Golden State to part with a hefty package of draft picks and young players, a price that Green vehemently opposed. “Green even told [GM Mike] Dunleavy and controlling owner Joe Lacob the summer prior not to green-light a trade for Lauri Markkanen, considering the Utah Jazz were asking for all the draft picks and young players,” Slater reported. Green’s reasoning wasn’t rooted in a lack of faith in Markkanen’s abilities—far from it. “I’m a big fan of [Markkanen’s] game,” Green told Slater. “But I think if you want to do something so huge you better be certain that this is the move. You usually don’t win those things against Danny Ainge. I look at history.”
Green’s caution stemmed from Ainge’s reputation as a shrewd negotiator who often extracts maximum value in trades. Ainge’s track record—fleecing teams like the Minnesota Timberwolves for Rudy Gobert and the Cleveland Cavaliers for Donovan Mitchell—loomed large in Green’s mind. But while Green’s wariness of Ainge is understandable, his influence in derailing the Markkanen trade may have robbed the Warriors of a golden opportunity to solidify their championship window.
At the time, Markkanen was a rising star, fresh off two stellar seasons with the Jazz, where he showcased his versatility as a 7-foot sharpshooter with All-Star caliber production. His contract made him an attainable asset, and acquiring him could have elevated the Warriors’ roster to new heights, potentially pairing him with the likes of Steph Curry and, as some speculated, even Jimmy Butler in a dream scenario. Such a lineup would have given Golden State a fighting chance against Western Conference powerhouses like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets. Instead, the Warriors balked, unwilling to part with their long-term assets, and shortly afterward, Markkanen signed a massive extension with Utah, locking him in as the Jazz’s cornerstone.
Hindsight only makes this decision look more egregious. Markkanen’s performance in Utah’s most recent game reaffirmed his status as a premier talent, delivering the same high-level production that made him a coveted target. The Warriors, meanwhile, are left to ponder what could have been. A trade for Markkanen wasn’t a guaranteed championship, but it would have given Golden State a dynamic frontcourt presence to complement Curry’s wizardry and Green’s defensive tenacity. The idea that they could have extended their dynasty in the 2020s, potentially adding multiple titles, makes the decision to back away from the deal all the more baffling.
Green’s point about Ainge’s history isn’t without merit. Ainge has a knack for extracting every last drop of value from his trade partners. Minnesota and Cleveland, for instance, gave up significant hauls for Gobert and Mitchell, respectively, and neither has yet translated those deals into a championship. Yet, both franchises would likely make those trades again without hesitation, as the acquisitions elevated their ceilings and kept them competitive. The Warriors, by contrast, played it safe, prioritizing future draft capital over a player who could have transformed their present. Would they have cared about losing a few picks if it meant another banner hanging in Chase Center?
The Warriors’ reluctance to deal with “Trader Dan” Ainge now looks like a self-inflicted wound. Markkanen could have been the missing piece to keep their championship window open, and the fact that Green, a player, had such sway over a franchise-altering decision raises questions about the front office’s conviction. This isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a fireable offense. By fumbling the bag on Lauri Markkanen, the Warriors may have squandered their last chance to maximize the Curry era, leaving fans to wonder what might have been had they taken the leap.