This proposed Lauri Markkanen trade destination is wild, but impossible

The Utah Jazz aren't trading Lauri Markkanen until reports confirm otherwise, but Jazz fans should anticipate plenty of speculation and rumors anyway. A Markkanen trade would be complicated to map out, but the only way Utah would agree to one would be if they got golden assets out of it. A team like Golden State makes sense in that context, but outlining one is pretty much impossible.

Former NBA player Lou Williams floated the idea of swapping Markkanen for Jonathan Kuminga. Though Chandler Parsons says Utah would never make the deal, Williams believes Kuminga would thrive on a team like the Jazz as the team would get younger.

Here's the funny thing about Golden State: unlike some of the other teams floated as Markkanen destinations, there is some appeal in trading with them because they are getting older and could potentially hand over fantastic assets when Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler inevitably age out.

Sure, they'd still have Markkanen, and he would help the team to some degree by himself, but this is the kind of trade Ainge makes when taking advantage of a team that's desperate enough to risk a team's future. That's why Draymond Green didn't want the Warriors to make the deal. Even if it makes Green look kind of dumb for passing on Markkanen, he's not wrong.

Regardless of what assets the Jazz get, Kuminga doesn't even make half of Markkanen's contract ($22.5 million), so if the Warriors were even to entertain a trade, it would take a lot more than just him to make a deal work financially. Curry, Green, and Butler would all be off the table for obvious reasons, so Moses Moody would have to be included ($11.5 million), along with Buddy Hield ($9.2 million) and other contracts just to match.

Utah would then have to find destinations for Moody and Hield, which might be a little tricky, as teams are apprehensive about adding more long-term deals to their payroll, even if neither Moody nor Hield are overpaid.

Kuminga wouldn't be a bad flyer though

Kuminga is young, has shown his talent, and indications are that he and Golden State are on the outs. The biggest problem with him is that he hasn't proven to be a good fit with Curry, which would make anyone question whether he is a winning player.

A team like Utah would be more than willing to roll the dice on him. The only conundrum is that acquiring him shouldn't come at the cost of Markkanen. Kuminga is talented, but still hasn't proven it will translate into anything worthwhile. Okay, technically Markkanen hasn't either, but anyone who is acquainted with his game knows the kind of player he is.

If Kuminga is on the market, and it would surprise absolutely no one if he hits it not too long from now, the Jazz should absolutely look into it as long as it wouldn't cost much. If Utah and Golden State enter trade discussions this season, don't be surprised if Kuminga is the best player discussed in the deal.