One NBA writer is proposing that the Oklahoma City Thunder acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Thunder and Jazz:
Lauri Markkanen for Dāvis Bertāns, Ousmane Dieng, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick via Philadelphia, a 2026 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick
The Thunder, Sacramento Kings and Atlanta Hawks could trade for Markkanen, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. Markkanen is no longer untouchable in trade conversations.
“Since joining the Jazz, Markkanen has become one of the game’s most dynamic floor-spacing bigs,” Bailey wrote in his NBA trade proposal. “He’s a quick decision-maker who never stops the ball, gets threes up in volume, can finish above the rim and would make the Thunder’s starting five significantly bigger.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
The Thunder could start Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Jalen Williams, Markkanen and Chet Holmgren if OKC’s front office figured out a path to acquire Markkanen from Utah.
Markkanen is averaging 23.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists this season while shooting 48.6% from the field, 38.4% from beyond the arc and 84.6% from the free-throw line. The All-Star is making $17.3 million.
Markkanen doesn’t want to get traded by the Jazz, but the 26-year-old understands that the NBA is a business.
“Yeah. And I’ve been traded, I guess, technically three times with draft night included,” Markkanen told NBA reporter Sam Amick of The Athletic. “Sometimes I knew about it. Sometimes I didn’t. So I kind of learned the business side of basketball.
“I’ve kind of learned to just go day by day and really put the work in and try to play to the best of my abilities and whatever happens happens, really. Like I said, I love being in Utah and it’s a compliment of what you’ve done in the past (that teams have interest). We’ll see. But yeah, I just want to emphasize that I really believe in what we’re building here with the Jazz. Go day by day. Do your best. That’s all you can do.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder Updates
Markkanen has career averages of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. It will be interesting to see if he’s traded this season.
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