Why Lauri Markkanen staying in Utah is more good news for Warriors

The long Lauri Markkanen ordeal is over.

Easy now. This is not a “good riddance” note. We’re all going to miss the man.

But it was a good breakup, and Thompson made it happen in a positive way, which wasn’t easy.

Thompson’s no dummy. He didn’t want to be scuffling for minutes with Moses Moody and De’Anthony Melton. Thompson didn’t want to hear heartless boos from a few home fans as he fought through an inevitable shooting slump.

Here, Thompson would have been the brooding old sea captain, sailing through a rocky strait in a heavy fog. Negative energy. In Dallas, his career will be revived. A win for everybody, and how rare is that?

Draymond Green is a new man.

Fingers crossed. OK, it’s a little bit disappointing that after all of Green’s anger-management troubles last season, when the league basically put him on double-unsecret probation, that his remorse seemed like contrition lite. We’re still not convinced. Hopeful, sure.

What if Green realizes that he cost his team and his teammates a shot at the playoffs last season? What if he admits to himself that he maybe cost himself an Olympics berth, too, because that star-studded U.S. team could use his skills and leadership?

The Kids are cleared for takeoff!

Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga, show us what you’ve got.

Kuminga has to become the team’s No. 2 scorer and offensive threat. That means head coach Steve Kerr will be scheming Kuminga into the thick of the action, and Kuminga will thrive on that new responsibility.

Podziemski might be under more pressure than any player in the league, but he seems to handle that type of pressure really well.

Well, Podz’s rookie season was remarkable, and he’s determined to improve.

Come on, it’s fun watching homegrown kids grow into really good — and interesting — basketball players.

A Big Deal is still possible.

As we speak, Kerr and Kevin Durant are probably planning what cigars they will smoke together when the U.S. team wins that gold medal.

When the February trade deadline approaches, what if the Phoenix Suns are not clicking, and Durant is not feeling groovy?

Why would that be better than a Markkanen trade would have been? Well, Durant is better than Markkanen, and Dunleavy wouldn’t be dealing with Riverboat Danny Ainge.

Or, what if LeBron James decides to look north? He and Curry work together pretty well.

Better than 72 wins in a season? Yes. Coaches can grow and develop.

Kerr is tougher now, in a good way. He has made some tough decisions, like benching Thompson, and short-leashing Andrew Wiggins.

In Paris, he’s learning even more about tough decisions, and about ignoring outside noise (although he’s been good at that for a long time).

Kerr’s still eager, and he’s still got the joy thing going, and that’s what it’s all about.

Reach Scott Ostler: sostler@sfchronicle.com; Twitter: @scottostler