The Golden State Warriors butchered a potential Lauri Markkanen trade. There's, unfortunately, no way to escape that fact. He could be on the team flanking Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler right now — and, heavens, what a perfect fit he would be — but he's not, and it's because the Warriors refused to part with guard Brandin Podziemski. The further away we get from those trade talks between the Dubs and Jazz, the crazier they become in hindsight.
After Markkanen signed his extension in Utah last August, the specifics of those talks were reported by Shams Charania, Tony Jones, and Anthony Slater of The Athletic:
"The Warriors made the most aggressive offer, centered around Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, pick swaps and second-rounders, team sources from both sides said.