Why the Warriors Do It: GSW is desperate to maximize what's left of Steph's prime and Markannen is the prime candidate for that. He fits perfectly on offense and is a good enough defender to help Draymond give opposing big men fits in the playoffs. Originally, the deal stuck on the valid assessment that Kuminga or Podz plus Moody, Payton, and picks would be too much for just Markannen - and the Jazz didn't want Kuminga due to his contract extension coming up anyway. This way the Warriors keep Podz while gaining appropriate value for Kuminga by acquiring his most likely ceiling in Jerami Grant. This gives the Dubs an ultra-switchable starting lineup of Steph, Podz or Melton, Jerami Grant, Markannen and Draymond that can guard anything and score on anything.
This team goes 10-deep in the playoffs, more depth than most teams can afford, while having two very legitimate second options behind Steph. This doesn't even account for any unexpected contributions from players like Plowden who we signed for a two-way.
Dubs New Depth Chart: PG: Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski SG: Deanthony Melton, Buddy Hield SF: Jerami Grant, Kyle Anderson PF: Lauri Markannen, Trayce Jackson-Davis C: Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
Why the Jazz Do It: The Jazz don't want Kuminga's upcoming contract and they want assets in return for Markannen. This allows them to acquire Moody and two firsts, plus a plethora of seconds and Gui Santos, who could be worth taking a flier on as a decent roleplayer some day. That leaves GPII, who is mainly salary filler but could get flipped for another second or simply provide some veteran experience. This totals the Jazz haul for Markannen at three prospects, one of which comes when Golden State will have a balding or no Curry on the roster at all, five-ish seconds, and a flier. Not a bad return while also not having to take on Kuminga's contract, especially considering the Spurs are the only other real Markannen suitor. They'll tank to heaven and hope to acquire Cooper Flagg in 2025 to start the rebuild.
Why the Blazers Do It: The largest hole in the Blazers' young core currently stands at small forward. Kuminga is a perfect fit as a 3-and-D forward and would make the Blazers the most athletic young core in the league with Scoot, Sharpe and Kuminga in the starting lineup. They can afford to sign Kuminga to his longer contract, especially with the imminent Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton trades as they just don't fit lineup-wise nor timeline-wise. Wiggins gives them a slightly more flexible contract at 3 years instead of 4 and could rehabilitate his trade value as a first option again before being flipped to a wing-hungry team like the Cavs at the deadline. That would probably net the Blazers a solid trove of assets to become contenders in 2-3 years, with a playmaking guard in Scoot, two scoring and 3-and-D options in Sharpe and Kuminga and Clingan playing the Rudy Gobert role but with actual perimeter defenders who can funnel in players for blocks in the middle. They'd be missing some three-point shooting that Kris Murray could easily fix if he grows into a capable role player.