The Warriors swung for Paul George and came up empty-handed. They lost Klay Thompson and let Chris Paul go. As it stands, it's a roster that has more questions than answers, and which will require a young group to take leaps if it is going to be competitive.
That has left Golden State looking to Utah forward Lauri Markannen. The Jazz forward is in the final year of his deal and is extension eligible, starting August 6. And while there has been plenty of registered interest, Danny Ainge and Utah are unlikely to deal him for anything less than a haul.
According to The Athletic's Anthony Slater, the Warriors are willing to be patient. That August 6 date provides something of a deadline, or a time to re-energize negotiations.
He reports that teams around the league believe that the Jazz are leaning towards extending Markkanen, and that a new extension being signed August 6 would take Markkanen out of trade discussions for six months... putting him back in the picture by February 6, the NBA trade deadline. Anything later would take him off the table for the year.
From the Warriors' perspective, it's a waiting game.
"They're willing to wait for an answer on Markkanen, believing a level of clarity will arrive on Aug. 6, at the latest, considering the contractual dynamics. In the intermediate, there isn't much business left for the Warriors to shore up."
As it stands, the Warriors appear set to ride with what they have, unless and until the door re-opens on Markkanen.
