Bay Area sports roundup: Lauri Markkanen watch, Aiyuk's future and a no-hitter
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Draymond Green boxes out Lauri Markkanen at a game in February. Photo: Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images
The Golden State Warriors are reportedly still looking to acquire 7-footer Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz and more clarity around the situation is expected this week.
Why it matters: If the Warriors can acquire Markkanen, the team would land a go-to second-scoring option as the team tries to compete for an NBA championship in the final years of Steph Curry's career.
Driving the news: Markkanen is eligible to renegotiate and extend his contract with the Jazz on Tuesday, The Athletic's Tim Kawakami reports.
- If he re-signs with the Jazz, the team would be prohibited from trading him until Feb. 6, 2025, the day of the NBA trade deadline.
- If Markkanen waits at least until Wednesday to re-sign, he won't be able to be traded at all next season due to collective bargaining rules.
- The best-case scenario for the Warriors is that Markkanen doesn't renegotiate his current contract, Kawakami reports.
What to watch: Whether Warriors' highly-regarded young guard Brandin Podziemski and forward Jonathan Kuminga are included in any potential trade with the Jazz.
- Warriors owner Joe Lacob this summer said he thinks Podziemski is a future All-Star, while the team has reportedly been unwilling to offer Kuminga in any trades.
Here are some other notable happenings in Bay Area sports:
🏈 49ers preseason kickoff
The Niners are gearing up for their first preseason game against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, but there are still looming questions about wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk's future with the team.
- Aiyuk reported to training camp but has yet to practice with the team, NBC Sports Bay Area reports.
- Meanwhile, the Niners are expected to work out two wide receivers, Monroe Young and Mike Harley Jr., at camp on Monday, KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported over the weekend.
🏀 Valkyries on head coach hunt
The Bay's WNBA team has yet to hire a head coach but hopes to have one on board before the expansion draft, Golden State Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin recently told Axios.
- On Aug. 17, the Valkyries plan to host an open house for its more than 15,000 season-ticket-deposit holders where they can explore potential seating options.
⚾️ Snell's no-hitter
In case you missed it, last week Giants pitcher Blake Snell tossed a complete game for the first time in his career while also throwing the 18th no-hitter in Giants history.
- The Giants, however, are still fighting for a spot in the postseason and currently sit 4.5 games out of the final National League wild card spot.
⚽️ Bay FC finishes summer cup
Bay FC completed its three group-stage matches in the NWSL x Liga MXF Summer Cup, finishing with a 1-2 record over the weekend.
- NWSL is currently on break due to the Olympics so Bay FC's next regular season match will be Aug. 23 against the Utah Royals in Sandy, Utah.
- Bay FC is currently the No. 8 seed. The top eight teams will qualify for the postseason in November.