‘Blockbuster’ Trade Proposal Sends Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen Back To Cavaliers

One NBA writer proposed that the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz this summer. 

The Cavaliers traded Markkanen to the Jazz in the Donovan Mitchell blockbuster deal in September 2022. 

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea:

Cleveland Cavaliers Receive: F Lauri Markkanen

Utah Jazz Receive: F/C Evan Mobley, G/F Isaac Okoro (via sign-and-trade), 2024 first-round pick (No. 20 overall)

The Jazz missed the playoffs this year. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers are in the second round facing the Boston Celtics. 

Markkanen appeared in 55 games for the Jazz this season. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists while shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line. 

One of the top players in the NBA, Markkanen will make $18 million next season in the final year of his contract. 

“Giving up on Mobley this early in his career hurts, although bringing Markkanen back as a floor-spacing, second offensive option would be the perfect fit around Mitchell, Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen,” Swartz wrote. “The 26-year-old Finn was part of the Mitchell trade in 2022 and has since thrived in a bigger role in Utah.

“The Cavs need Markkanen’s scoring more than ever. Mitchell is putting up 29.3 points per game in the 2024 postseason, with Allen’s 17.0 per night coming in a distant second. Allen is limited offensively and isn’t a shot creator, something this offense needs to take pressure off of Mitchell. A starting lineup of Garland, Mitchell, Max Strus, Markkanen and Allen with Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, Dean Wade and Sam Merrill off the bench would solve Cleveland’s spacing issues and get them closer to a championship.”

Markkanen has career averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Cavaliers and Jazz. He won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. 

The Cavaliers would have a “Big 4” of Mitchell, Markkanen, Garland and Allen if Cleveland’s front office acquired Markkanen from the Jazz.