At 6-12 this season, the Utah Jazz are headed straight for the lottery and young star Lauri Markkanen could be the next one on the trade block if the trend continues into the winter. According to league insider Jake Weinbach, teams across the league are monitoring the situation in the event that the Jazz decide to make some serious changes.
“Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen is an interesting name to monitor on the trade market,” it was reported Thursday. “If Utah continues to trend downward, there’s a chance that the organization sells high on key veterans to prioritize the long-term future. Markkanen could become a free agent in 2025.”
With his contract set to expire at the end of next season, the clock is ticking for the Jazz to settle on a decision for the two-way swingman. If they keep him, it would likely be in an effort to build a contender around him. But if they trade him, it would set them up for a proper rebuild with picks and young assets to find for their next big star.
Lauri Is A Bonafide Star
After a stint in Chicago and a brief period with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lauri Markkanen was chalked up as an elite-level role player who could not be the focal point of a contending team. But during the 2023-24 campaign, he changed that narrative by having a breakout season for the Jazz. With averages of 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game on 49% shooting, Markkanen made his first-ever All-Star team in 2023 and was crucial in leading Utah to a shocking 37-45 record in the West.
This year, his numbers and efficiency have cooled off a bit but he remains the best player on the team by a significant margin. At 7’0″ and 240 pounds, Lauri is the ideal modern-day wing player and his well-rounded skill set makes the perfect match in any system. While it remains to be seen if the Jazz are actually serious about potentially trading him, there are multiple teams who could benefit from having him on the roster.
Lakers Are The Perfect Team For Markkanen
Depending on the price, the Los Angeles Lakers could be the ideal scenario for Lauri. With LeBron James playing some of the best basketball of his career right now, the Lakers need a more consistent sidekick to help ease the offensive load of James. Markkanen may not be the perfect fit, but his size and two-way game could work wonders for many teams in the association, especially the Purple and Gold.
Darvin Ham could use Lauri as a center to play Anthony Davis at his preferred position while still keeping shooters on the floor. or he could use Lauri as a playmaker to help set the offense and get some easy looks for LeBron. Either way, at just 26 years old, Markkanen has a lot to offer an NBA roster and we can expect the Lakers to do their due diligence in trade talks this summer. Because with LeBron approaching 40, the Lakers don’t have much time to get right and a big move is the only thing that will give them a fighting chance against the Western elites.
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