The Philadelphia 76ers would be wise to explore a potential trade centered around Paul George and Lauri Markkanen. It’s a possibility that was thoroughly discussed by analysts and fans alike ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, but ultimately failed to materialize.
However, George for Markkanen could potentially be revisited if the 76ers are willing to incorporate the 2028 first-round draft pick and 2029 pick swap they received from the LA Clippers — and so the pain begins.
Utah has embarked on a fascinating journey that has led it to some of the most promising young players in the NBA. Incoming rookie Ace Bailey is already turning heads in preseason action, Kyle Filipowski is a dynamic big with wing-like skills, and Walker Kessler is a coveted rim protector.
Utah also has a surplus of under-the-radar players with youth and talent, including playmakers Isaiah Collier and Keyonte George, top defensive player Taylor Hendricks and sharpshooter Brice Sensabaugh.
The question Utah faces, which could ultimately lead them to consider a trade, is whether or not Markkanen fits into a core of players age 25 and younger. If they decide to go all-in on emphasizing the youth and supporting them with future picks and the ideal veterans, George could be a prized target, especially because of his potential value as a mentor to Bailey.
The question facing the 76ers is simple: Would adding Markkanen and eliminating George’s salary be worth two of their most valuable assets?
Paul George + picks a viable, high-risk blockbuster trade for Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen is an undeniably talented player, capable of producing players of his size and executing at a level that is rarely possible. At 6-foot-4, he has the ability to shoot the lights out, pick opponents off the perimeter and balance post skills with his wing-like tendencies.
Markkanen reached his peak in 2022-2023, averaging 25.6 points and making 3.0 three-point field goals on .499/.391/.875 shooting en route to the Most Improved Player award.
Markkanen, who was also an All-Star in 2023, had another star-caliber season in 2023-2024. He averaged 23.2 points and 3.2 three-point field goals made on .480/.399/.899 shooting, cementing his reputation as a big man with realistic dreams of joining the 50-40-90 club.
Unfortunately, the explanation for why the 76ers might not trade for Markkanen is the same as why the Jazz might give up on him: He has faced the same availability issues as Philadelphia’s current core players.
Why the 76ers might not target Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen missed 35 games in the 2024/25 season, which is an immediate alarm signal to take into account. Unfortunately, it was a continuation of a trend that has developed throughout his career and has now marred his first three seasons with the Jazz.
Markkanen missed 27 games in 2023-24, and while he was generally healthy during his breakout season in 2022-23, he was still absent from 16 games.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like his recent issues with injuries can be written off as isolated incidents. He missed 21 games in both 2020-21 and 2021-22, 15 in the COVID-shortened 2019-20 season and 30 in 2018-19.
For a 76ers team already dealing with a rash of injuries to key players like Embiid, George and Jared McCain, adding another player with a history of absences might not be the best idea.
Is the risk really worth it?
It may seem like avoiding Markkanen is the right idea, but there is a valid reason to consider this risky venture. Trading George for Markkanen would save Philadelphia a relatively notable amount of money over the next two seasons.
Markkanen will earn a hefty salary himself, but will receive $5,271,990 less than George in 2025-2026 and $8,013,226 less in 2026-2027.
That alone could appeal to a 76ers team eager to save enough money to create flexibility during the 2026 free agency period and avoid suspension penalties. The important caveat, however, is that George has a player option for the 2027-2028 season, while Markkanen is fully guaranteed through 2028-2029.
As such, it could be a matter of hiring for one, if not two, additional seasons with a salary that averages north of $50 million per season.
That is the basis on which this debate will be conducted. If the Jazz are open to a trade, the 76ers could add a younger player who will be paid less over the next two seasons. The downside, however, is that they are bringing in a star with an extensive injury history and four full seasons on his contract.
It’s a risky trade opportunity that the 76ers should thoroughly explore, but due to the painful price it would cost them, it might be better to avoid it entirely.
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