For the next two days, all eyes will be on what the Utah Jazz's decision will be regarding Lauri Markkanen's future. While there has been buzz that they're willing to trade him, they're not going to do that unless a real haul comes back for him.
NBA Insider Marc Stein first revealed that the Jazz sent personnel to Finland to conduct workouts with Markkanen and Keyonte George.
"The Jazz recently sent multiple coaching staff representatives to Finland to assist Markkanen in workouts with rising Jazz guard Keyonte George. The team has even been posting pictures of those on-court sessions all week via social media."
Stein then explained why this is relevant knowing what else is going on.
"More than one rival team consulted said it agreed with my personal read that it just got harder to see Utah abruptly turning around and trading him immediately in the wake of helping to facilitate training sessions in faraway Markkanen's home country."
Stein also re-affirmed the Warriors' interest in Markkanen while adding that they are not budging off their current offer.
"The Warriors, as of Sunday, continued to be regarded as the league's most ardent Markkanen suitor ... but at the same time still unwilling to surrender Brandin Podziemski in a trade package for the 7-foot Finn. Golden State, to date, has pursued Markkanen without including Podziemski or Jonathan Kuminga in trade packages laden with future draft compensation. Obviously no team, to this point, has met Danny Ainge's asking price."
While there aren't exactly any new twists in here there are a few takeaways from Stein's report.
1. The Jazz truly believe Markkanen & George are the future
Given Tony Jones' recent reporting with Markkanen and the Jazz, it is not farfetched to think he's staying in Utah. However, this workout also reveals that the Jazz believe Markkanen and George are the key to their future.
While Markkanen is more or less about to enter the prime of his career, George is just starting his. To build something special in Utah, it starts with working out together so that they can get a feel of how they fare as a duo.
Besides serving as more proof that Markkanen's probably staying with the Jazz, it shows that they believe that there is a direction for the franchise starting with those two.
2. Warriors discussions for Lauri Markkanen appear to be pretty much dead
It's been established beforehand that any deal for Markkanen would start with Podziemski. It's reasonable for the Warriors to be stubborn when it comes to keeping Podziemski after the promising rookie season, just as it's reasonable that the Jazz aren't entertaining any Markkanen offer from the Warriors unless Podziemski is included.
They've been at this standstill for weeks now, and with Markkanen's extend-and-trade deadline days away, the Warriors still not including him must mean they're losing hope on getting Markkanen. That could change with every passing hour, but the outlook doesn't look too promising.
3. The Jazz don't want more draft assets
The Jazz have plenty of draft assets in their arsenal. They basically own Minnesota's and Cleveland's future for the next several years. Plus, they have a potentially golden Lakers asset. Add that with their picks of their own and they have an ocean if draft picks.
So what are a few more going to do? There is some appeal in rolling that dice on what the Warriors' future will look like post-Stephen Curry. At the same time, sending them Markkanen also gives them a good pillar to build on when Curry retires. So while Markkanen's presence only makes those picks decrease in value with Curry there, they could have enough success that the Warriors could add more help after Curry ends his career.
Having too many draft assets can be a problem because there are only so many roster spots a team possesses. Teams can use that against the Jazz if they try to improve their players down the line because they'll ask for more than what they deserve.
Owning another team's future is nice, but it may not be worth it knowing that you already helped their future.