Significant Gain: Warriors Trade Podziemski, Wiggins, and Moody for a $203 million All-Star
The Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is the subject of trade rumors, and it has been speculated that the Golden State Warriors would like to make a significant trade this summer.
But with the recent rumors, it’s probable Golden State would search elsewhere for a different superstar because Markkanen could not be transferable.
In his list of five trades that could “blow up the 2024–25 season,” Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale crafted an intriguing trade proposal: Golden State would trade point guard LaMelo Ball to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Moses Moody, Brandin Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins, and several future first-round picks.
Let’s unpack it; there’s a lot.
An Examining the Entire Trade Proposal That Would Send LaMelo Ball to the Warriors
The whole list of Golden State players and draft selections that Favale suggested is available here. Everything would be given up for Ball:
A 2026 first-round selection, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round swap, Andrew Wiggins, Brandin Podziemski, and a 2030 first-round pick (protected Nos. 21 to 30; becomes a 2031 second-rounder if not communicated) are all included in the deal.
Favale stated, “I don’t think the Hornets should or even must trade LaMelo Ball.” However, with their recent move toward a complete rebuild and his past foot problems, he does seem like a contender to be added to the “Surprise! We traded him!” mix.
Ball needed surgery in March 2023 to fix a fractured right ankle. A few months later, he signed his $203 million, five-year deal. Without a question, Ball is one of the NBA’s most adept passers when healthy:
Ball had his greatest season in 2021–2022, averaging 20.1 points, 7.6 assists, and 6.7 rebounds while starting 75 games. Although he was chosen an All-Star that season, he has only played in 58 games in the last two seasons due to injuries. He would need to be completely healthy before Golden State could really contemplate adding him.
“While Melo carries a great deal of risk, Favale believes he does a better job for the Dubs balancing now and later than someone like Lauri Markkanen.” As the primary option, his passing and shooting are more suited to maintain an offensive. And before getting hurt last year, he performed a better job attacking all the way downhill, even though his finishing still needs a lot of improvement.
Ball is still quite young. He will turn 23 in August, and over 20 points have been his average over the past three seasons. The Warriors could be intrigued in him, but it’s unlikely that they would want to give up players like Podziemski in particular.
Warriors Probably Want to Hold on to Brandin Podziemski if They Can
On July 15, Shams Charania of The Athletic wrote that the Dubs were “the most engaged team for Markkanen.” Utah had “asked for the bulk of young talent and capital the Warriors possess, including Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and Brandin Podziemski, along with picks, which has been a non-starter thus far for Golden State,” Shams further said in exchange for Markkanen.
It’s hardly surprising that the Dubs want to retain Podziemski after such a strong debut year, in which he placed fifth in the debut of the Year vote.
Podziemski, the 19th overall pick by the Warriors in 2023, had 74 appearances for Golden State in 2018 (28 starts). In 26.6 minutes of play per game, he scored 9.2 points, pulled down 5.8 rebounds, and distributed 3.7 assists.
Without a doubt, Golden State is about to undergo upheaval. This offseason, guard Chris Paul was released by the Warriors. After 13 years, they also called it quits on veteran Klay Thompson. They obviously want to take a big step. How much of themselves they are prepared to give up to succeed is unknown.
