Blockbuster Trade Proposal Sends Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen To Lakers

One NBA analyst proposed that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. 

Ishaan Bhattacharya of Fadeaway World proposed the following mock trade between the Lakers and Jazz:

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Lauri Markkanen

Utah Jazz Receive: Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, 2028 First-Round Pick Swap (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2031 First-Round Pick (LAL)

Markkanen becomes extension eligible on August 6. He’s on an expiring $18 million contract and due for an extensive long-term raise.

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 while shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line in 55 games. 

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. 

According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Jazz are not shopping Markkanen. Utah would need a massive offer to trade Markkanen.

“The Jazz I don’t believe are shopping him,” MacMahon said on The Hoop Collective Podcast. “But if you give them an offer they can’t refuse, they would take it. There’s been nothing close to an offer they can’t refuse.”

The Lakers went 47-35 in 2023-24. They lost to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in five games.

Denver also beat Los Angeles in the 2023 Western Conference Finals in four games. 

Former NBA guard JJ Redick is the new head coach of the Lakers. Redick signed a four-year deal worth in the neighborhood of $8 million per season.

One of the top shooters in NBA history, Redick has yet to coach above the youth level. He played 15 years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks.

According to NBA insiders Shams Charania, Jovan Buha and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Redick is focused on elevating Anthony Davis’ involvement and alleviating LeBron James‘ workload.

LeBron, 39, is the oldest player in the NBA. He turns 40 in December. 

A “Big 3” of LeBron, Davis and Markkanen would be lethal, but no one who covers the NBA expects the Lakers to acquire Markkanen.