The Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks could trade for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Markkanen is no longer untouchable in trade conversations.
“League personnel believe three teams in particular value the Finnish forward at this preliminary stage of trade conversations,” Fischer wrote in his NBA trade column. “Two of those apparent suitors, Sacramento and Atlanta, make sense, considering the Kings’ and Hawks’ respective approaches for Siakam. The third team league personnel continue mentioning to watch for a potential Markkanen approach is Oklahoma City, suddenly second in the West with a trove of first-round picks.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz Updates
Markkanen is averaging 23.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists this season for the Jazz while shooting 48.7% from the floor, 39.0% from beyond the arc and 82.9% from the free-throw line. He’s currently dealing with a hamstring injury.
Markkanen won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award last season. He’s making $17.3 million this season. The power forward has career NBA averages of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz.
Markkanen signed a four-year, $67 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Cavaliers. The Jazz acquired Markkanen from the Cavaliers in the blockbuster Donovan Mitchell trade.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Oklahoma City Thunder, Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz Updates
Most people around the NBA don’t expect the Jazz to trade Markkanen. However, it’s notable that the 26-year-old is no longer a lock to stay in Utah.
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