The Utah Jazz have indicated interest in selling star forward Lauri Markkanen, who is approaching the end of his deal and is eligible for a maximum extension, in an attempt to get into the bottom half of the NBA for a pair of highly anticipated NBA drafts.
Markkanen might be traded this summer for an outright tank in Utah for the upcoming season, even though the Jazz might decide to extend him and develop around him with the next edition of the team.
The San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat, and Golden State Warriors are the four clubs who have indicated interest in dealing for Markkanen, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe. To varied degrees, all four of those teams are attempting to determine how to become contenders in their respective leagues. While the Kings and Warriors are searching for a piece that will help them break out of the middle of the pack in the Western Conference, the Spurs may be ready to move quickly with their rebuild around veteran point guard Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama.
The Heat, meanwhile, need to address their own personnel problems. Jimmy Butler is eligible for an extension, but it seems more and more likely that his contract will expire at the start of the upcoming campaign. Given Butler’s uncertain future and the salary ramifications of a possible deal, any trade from Miami for Markkanen will also be difficult. According to Lowe, the majority of teams who are interested in Markkanen are maxed out and won’t be able to sign him to a contract after they do. To increase his marketability and provide teams interested in trading for him with more contract security, an extension in Utah might be required.
Markkanen is going to be valuable no matter where he ends up. During the previous season, the 27-year-old averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 39.9% shooting from three points.
With a strong offensive game that can propel any club with the right roster into contention, he is the ideal stretch big in the NBA today.
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