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James Hansen
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Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images
The Utah Jazz could get a nice deal done with the Los Angeles Lakers
On the latest Mind the Game podcast, LeBron James and JJ Redick discussed different players in the league, and JJ Redick brought up Lauri Markkanen. LeBron immediately made a point of telling Redick how much he loves Markkanen.
LeBron says, “One of my favorites ... he’s been a LeBron supporter for a long time, I love that guy, he’s so good.”
It’s an interesting mention from the most influential player in the league as the Lakers go into the offseason. Considering things are in flux in LA, it makes you think, should the Utah Jazz think about a trade involving Lauri Markkanen to the Lakers?
The initial reaction from fans is no, but here are some reasons that this might be not only a good idea but very possible.
The Utah Jazz have to choose a direction for the franchise
We’ve all heard Danny Ainge’s comments that he’s going big game hunting this offseason. The question is, what happens when the Jazz go hunting and there’s no game to be had? Yes, the Jazz are a team with a ton of assets, but it takes two to make a trade, and it’s not going to be easy to convince a team with a superstar to make that trade. If the Jazz make an attempt to get these players and come up empty, they have to take the franchise in a different direction, and that direction needs to be towards a top pick in the draft. There is no way the Jazz can go into another season where they play around .500 or worse basketball, then tank post-trade deadline to get a pick in the 8-9 range. Doing that would be an incredible waste of an opportunity in a great draft. It would also mean not being able to trade Lauri Markkanen when his value is highest.
Making a trade to the Lakers would allow them to make a run for the top 5 in the upcoming Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, as well as get another load of picks.
The Lakers have the assets to give a great offer to Utah
Utah already owns the Lakers’ 2027 pick (top 4 protected), but the Lakers can also give a nice group of picks now that we’re entering this new offseason.
It appears the Lakers are going to lose their 2025 pick to the Pelicans, who had the choice between the Lakers' pick in 2024 and 2025. That means the Lakers could offer a package to the Jazz that would include the 2024, 2029, and 2031 first-round picks. Danny Ainge would likely want those picks unprotected. In this scenario the Jazz could also demand pick swaps in 2026 and 2028. If the Lakers really want Markkanen and the Jazz want something more, they could also ask to remove the protections on the 2027 pick.
So here’s what that would look like: The Jazz could receive 3 first-round picks, 2 pick swaps, and make the 2027 pick fully unprotected, and the Lakers could receive Lauri Markkanen.
Lauri Markkanen’s deal is extremely trade-friendly
Lauri Markkanen’s contract is for about $18M this upcoming season. Because it’s lower, the Lakers could string together contracts to make it work, and the Jazz can then go into the season with more picks that can give them a shot at a star, while also not being strapped with veterans that will take minutes away from their young rookies. Don’t forget, Utah has Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Brice Sensabaugh that need development, and they’ll also be potentially adding three additional players this draft. They need to see more development with their sophomores and a chance to play the players they draft in 2024.
In addition to being easy to match salaries, the Jazz could ask for a young player like Jalen Hood-Schifino, who could have a chance to develop alongside George.
The Lakers track record makes this likely to work out for Utah
Since 2014, here’s the list of 1st round picks the Lakers have made
2014 - 7th - Julius Randle
2015 - 2nd, 27th - D’Angelo Russell, Larry Nance Jr.
2016 - 2nd - Brandon Ingram
2017 - 2nd - Lonzo Ball
2018 - 25th - Moe Wagner
2019 - 4th - This pick was part of the Pelicans trade that sent Anthony Davis to LA. The Pelicans traded this to Atlanta and it became De’Andre Hunter
2020 - 28th - Jaden McDaniels This was part of a trade to OKC for Dennis Schroder, OKC traded this to Minnesota.
2021 - 22nd - Isaiah Jackson - this pick was traded to Indiana as part of the Russell Westbrook deal
2023 - 17th - Jalen Hood-Schifino
Pre-LeBron James, the Lakers consistently picked in the top ten and four times in the top five. Chances are the 2029 and 2031 picks will be post-LeBron James and could mean an incredible haul for the Jazz. It’s important in a deal like this that Utah ensures those picks are unprotected. If that happens, Utah could possibly be getting the best trade they’ve done in years, including what they got for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell.
LeBron James might be pushing for this
LeBron hasn’t said what he’s doing after this season and is already playing the leverage game with the Lakers.
It’s very likely the Lakers give LeBron James the max he’s likely looking for but that might be with an agreement to make the moves he wants them to make. Since he loves Lauri Markkanen, could this give the Jazz the leverage they want? Also, if Lauri Markkanen is a LeBron supporter like LeBron says, then maybe he’d be up for the chance to play with one of the greatest players of all time?
All in all, this isn’t something to ignore and don’t be surprised if we see Lakers/Jazz rumors this summer. And don’t forget, the Jazz and Lakers have already made multiple moves in the last two seasons, the relationship is there to do more.
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