Stephen Curry hinted that he might leave the Golden State Warriors if they become a “Bottom-feeder.” He is 36 right now and is a four-time NBA Champion. Clearly, he is on the wrong side of 30s. The remaining time he has left in the league as a player, the three-point King would want to use it to win perhaps one more title. Moreover, the skinny kid from Akron, Ohio, would love to remain a “Warrior for life.” That’s something he has often said to the media.
Despite Klay Thompson leaving the Dubs this offseason, it is not likely that Steph would leave too. He is the talismanic leader of the franchise. Hence, the Dubs organization would not want to let Curry go. Now, to keep him happy, they need to rebuild the team to get back to title contention. To rebuild the team, they will have to make some strict decisions. What if the Dubs have to trade Brandin Podziemski? It is not very likely that they would go ahead with that plan.
Warriors Can Land Lauri Markkanen If They Trade Brandin Podziemski
In late July, on the Tim Kawakami Show, Joe Lacob, the owner, said everybody in the organization is confident that Podziemski is a future All-Star player. He noted, “Podz has the potential to be an NBA All-Star.” The Dubs owner added that he believes that, and so does “Everyone” in the Dubs organization. Apparently, the Utah Jazz agrees with the Warriors owner, and that’s why they have certain demands for trading Lauri Markkanen to the Bay Area. The Jazz wants Podziemski, the do it all guard as the centerpiece of the trade package for Markkanen. But the Warriors refuse to part ways with the Podz. Mike Dunleavy and the Dubs front office will need to make a quick decision as all trade discussions regarding Markkanen will be off until the February 6 trade deadline soon. The 27-year-old Finnish forward is eligible for a contract extension starting on August 6. But the Jazz won’t be able to trade him before the February trade deadline if he signs a new contract with them. However, in Salt Lake City,, it is likely to be an open season as the Utah side looks to tank.
Ahead of the 2024-2025 season, the Jazz executive Danny Ainge is opening up the bidding league wide for the Finnish star as well as several other valuable young players. When Stephen Curry turns 38, he will be eligible for signing a new contract at the end of the 2025-2026 season. Over the next two seasons, the Dubs need to build a winning team if they want Curry to re-sign. If they trade Podziemski and other first-round picks to the Jazz for the Finnish forward, it would be a major win-now move for the GSW. Adding the dynamic seven-footer to the mix with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green can maximize and minimize the Dub’s late-stage strengths and weaknesses.
Stephen Curry And The Finnish Forward Might Make A Good Offensive Duo
If the Warriors cling tight to Brandin Podziemski till August 6, it won’t end the possibility of them signing Lauri. They can still do it in the next trade deadline. But holding on to Podziemski might be a risk. There is no guarantee that Podz can ever be as good as Markkanen right now. But as long as Stephen Curry stays one of the best players in the league, pairing the Finnish forward with him can be a masterstroke. That would certainly increase their chances to go deep into the playoffs.
Moreover, that’s what Curry wants more than anything. He said in an interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape that he wants to win and wouldn’t want to be part of a “Bottom-feeder.” Hence, the Warriors will have to do anything to make their roster more worthy of a title-winning kind if they want Curry to be a “Warrior for life.”
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