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Video: Draymond Green Reveals Warriors Have Been in Trade Talks amid Markkanen Rumors

Timothy Rapp

The Golden State Warriors have apparently been working the phones in the trade market this offseason. Draymond Green confirmed as much.

"We was just about to make some trades last week," he said on Jeff Teague's Club 520 podcast (33:50 mark). "And I told them straight up, 'That trade will help me.' It'll help me in my career these last couple of years with [Stephen Curry]. But I've always spoken from a place of, 'What's best for this organization?' I won't stop now."

Green didn't specify which player the Warriors were in trade talks to possibly acquire, but they've been regularly mentioned as a potential suitor for Utah's Lauri Markkanen in the rumor mill this offseason.

NBA reporter Marc Stein noted earlier in the week that there's "a belief in some corners of the league that Utah's interest in Golden State's Brandon Podziemski, in combination with future draft compensation that the Warriors could package with the All-Rookie first team selection, is serious enough that it keeps alive the prospect of a Markkanen trade between now and Aug. 6."

He added, however, that there is "also a growing belief leaguewide that the Warriors would be more willing to move Jonathan Kuminga in a Markkanen trade—or any big-swing deal—than Podziemski" and that Golden State offers to this point have been built around Moses Moody and draft compensation, not Podziemski or Kuminga.

Markkanen, 27, would be a fantastic addition for the Warriors, giving them a true No. 2 scoring option behind Curry and a stretch-4 who would replace some of the perimeter shooting lost when Klay Thompson departed this summer for the Dallas Mavericks.

The Warriors have had a transitional offseason after Thompson decided he needed a fresh start elsewhere, adding solid depth pieces like De'Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield and Kyle Anderson. But the Warriors, as currently constructed, don't look like one of the top teams in the Western Conference.

Without a big move, this might not be a playoff team. It makes sense that the Dubs would actively be seeking upgrades.

   

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