Offseason trade proposal sends Lauri Markkanen to Heat

March 26, 2025

One NBA analyst proposed the Miami Heat trade for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen this offseason.

Greg Swartz of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Heat and Jazz:

Utah Jazz Receive: F/C Kel’el Ware, F Nikola Jović, F Duncan Robinson, G Terry Rozier, 2025 first-round pick (top-10 protected via Golden State Warriors), 2026 second-round pick (via Los Angeles Lakers)

Miami Heat Receive: F Lauri Markkanen, G Jordan Clarkson

“Markkanen’s time with the Jazz the past three seasons has been a feel-good story, yet it’s time the 27-year-old joined a contender while still in the prime of his career,” Swartz wrote. “Utah should ask for (and receive) a collection of young talent and draft picks for Markkanen, especially with Clarkson going out as well. Ware, 20, is nearly averaging a double-double in 18 starts as a rookie (10.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks) and Jović, 21, is putting up a career-high 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his 25.1 minutes a night. Both Robinson and Rozier will be on expiring deals.”

Markkanen signed a four-year, $195 million extension with the Jazz in August. It was a renegotiation-and-extend deal.

One of the top scorers and shooters in the NBA, Markkanen will be trade-eligible this offseason.

Markkanen will make $46,394,100 next season. The talented stretch forward will become an unrestricted free agent in 2029.

The 27-year-old Markkanen has career averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award in his first season with Utah.

According to NBA insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Markkanen signed an extension with the Jazz with the understanding that the franchise would have a timely return to competing.

Utah has the worst record in the Western Conference right now at 16-57.

Markkanen has appeared in 47 games this season. He’s averaging 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 42.3% from the field, 34.6% from 3 and 87.6% from the foul line.