NBA Rumors: Brandin Podziemski 'Beloved' by Warriors amid Lauri Markkanen Trade Buzz

The Golden State Warriors haven't given up on their pursuit of Utah Jazz star forward Lauri Markkannen, but it sounds like they're not willing to give up one of their top young players.

During a radio appearance on 95.7 The Game, The Athletic's Anthony Slater reported that the Warriors "don't want to trade" second-year guard Brandin Podziemski because he's "beloved organizationally."

"One of the rare aspects to him, compared to the Warriors' other recent picks, is Steve Kerr couldn't keep him off the floor as a rookie," Slater added.

Podziemski appeared in 74 games during his rookie campaign with 28 starts and averaged 9.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 26.6 minutes of action. The Santa Clara product shot 38.5 percent from beyond the arc and earned a selection to the All-Rookie first team. Along with his Warriors teammate and 2023 draft classmate Trayce Jackson-Davis, he was named to the USA Select Team that practiced with Team USA in Las Vegas last week in preparation for the Paris Olympics.

The experience from his rookie year and with the Select Team appears to have paid off, as Podziemski has averaged 18.5 points through two summer-league games this month, including a 21-point, 12-rebound outing on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls.

Trading for Markkanen has proven to be no easy task, as the Warriors have been pursuing him since losing out on the opportunity to acquire Paul George, who joined the Philadelphia 76ers this summer. Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported during an appearance on SiriusXM NBA Radio this week that the Jazz would be interested in Podziemski as well as a massive draft haul if they were to move Markkanen.

However, the Warriors need to hold onto their promising young players while adding talent around them if they hope to contend next year. After star shooting guard Klay Thompson departed to join the Dallas Mavericks, Podziemski is likely to see an expanded role in his sophomore campaign.

Getting rid of Podziemski in a potential deal for Markkanen would create another hole for the Warriors to fill, so it makes sense that they are hoping to convince the Jazz to accept a deal that doesn't include the 21-year-old.