The Utah Jazz have publicly stated that they intend to retain Lauri Markkanen, and this has not stopped the rampant trade rumors that have arisen since. The noise will likely get louder and louder as we get closer to February, but here’s the one twist to a Markkanen trade: finding a trading partner would be difficult.
Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune raised this idea a few days ago, where he listed potential Markkanen destinations but also added the problems with those trading partners.
First, he brought up the one team perhaps most frequently mentioned as a destination for Markkanen: the Detroit Pistons, where he explained some of the contingencies of a potential deal.
“How do the Jazz and Pistons value (Jaden) Ivey and (Ausar) Thompson? And how many picks? Ivey is entering his fourth season, which means he’s eligible for an extension. That throws a wrench into the negotiations. And honestly, how much do the Pistons value Markkanen? Making this deal would be their remaining big move; is Markkanen the best player they can get for that package? He might well could be.”
Larsen then mentioned Spurs, but explained why it would be difficult, writing: “De’Aaron Fox’s extension – and the money required for Victor Wembanyama’s impending extension – makes him a contractually difficult partner.”
Next came the Golden State Warriors, who Larsen said could offer Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, but Larsen explained that “the league’s opinion of those players has soured significantly — and even in 2024, the Jazz preferred Brandin Podziemski to Kuminga.”
Larsen added that even if draft assets were included, what little Golden State has to offer might not be enough for Utah.
“Future Warriors picks would be the most promising assets to acquire, but the Stepien Rule (which makes it nearly impossible for a team to trade away its first-round picks in consecutive drafts) would make it difficult to acquire more than two.”
Larsen then brought up the Sacramento Kings, whose package may not be too flawed, as he also brought up the Jazz’s previous interest in Devin Carter, Keegan Murray’s machinations, and the Kings have choices to offer. He didn’t write this, but the only mystery would be the salary matching. Would Utah be willing to take on DeMar DeRozan or Malik Monk?
Finally, Larsen mentioned the Miami Heat, writing, “Some in the Jazz’s front office were fans of rookie Kasparas Jakucionis. Nikola Jovic just earned a long-term contract extension. On the other hand, the Heat’s pick cabinet is pretty bare.”
It wouldn’t be a surprise if all of these teams are mentioned as Markkanen candidates between now and February. However, for the reasons Larsen listed, working out a trade wouldn’t be that simple.
A Markkanen trade could happen, but it would terribly complicated
Let the record show that if Utah ultimately decides they are best off without Markkanen, they wouldn’t trade him just to get rid of him. They would only do it if they have a deal they can’t refuse.
Even though Markkanen has looked as good as ever this season, he isn’t getting in the way of their tank, and if he were to do just that, it would only increase his trade value. Teams that want him will likely try to use his expensive contract and Utah’s rebuild against them, but the Jazz can use their timeline as leverage.
That would make a deal for Markkanen complex. Utah won’t settle because it wouldn’t have to, and teams may not want to pay for Markkanen, an excellent player in every respect but not a cornerstone of the franchise.
Plenty of teams will want him, and Markkanen would face an epic bidding war if he’s put on the market, but the Jazz could call it all off if no one offers what they want.
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