Report: Spurs, Kings, Heat, Warriors Trying To Trade For Jazz Star Lauri Markkanen

According to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN, the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are trying to trade for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.

The Jazz are taking trade calls on Markkanen, who is in the final year of his contract. He’ll make $18 million next season.

“Trading Lauri Markkanen would buy Utah a one-way ticket toward the front of the tank line, and Markkanen indeed stands as perhaps the league’s most intriguing trade chip with Mikal Bridges now in New York,” Lowe wrote. “A pile of teams have shown interest in him, including the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors, sources said.

“History suggests Danny Ainge, Utah’s CEO, will move Markkanen once someone meets his price. That could be tomorrow or months from now if the Jazz raise Markkanen’s salary and then sign him to a contract extension once they are allowed to do so in early August.”

Markkanen is one of the top players in the NBA. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Jazz while shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line. 

Markkanen has career averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with Utah. 

If the Jazz don’t trade Markkanen, they’ll probably sign him to an extension. 

Utah went 31-51 in 2023-24. The team was 11th in the NBA in points per game, 29th in points per game allowed, 17th in offensive rating, 30th in defensive rating and 23rd in net rating under head coach Will Hardy. 

Most people around the NBA believe Markkanen is better suited to play for a contender since the Jazz are in rebuild mode.