The Utah Jazz have completed their biggest moves of the NBA offseason, moving All-Stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell in blockbuster deals. This is Danny Ainge’s MO, as he clears house whenever he takes over a front office and the same has occurred in Utah.
With the rebuild underway, expect other deals to get done in the coming weeks as they will likely find new homes for some of the veterans on the roster. Patrick Beverley, who was acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Gobert blockbuster, was already flipped to the Los Angeles Lakers in what could be the first of multiple moves.
In their trades this offseason, the draft capital has been the focus, but they did receive numerous players in return to help match salary. One of the players they received from the Cleveland Cavaliers was Lauri Markkanen.
While Markkanen is only 25 years old, he may not fit the team’s timeline. He is a useful NBA player, but if the opportunity arose to add more assets, Utah would probably consider trading him.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz & Miami Heat Updates
Likely anyone is available on the roster for the right price as securing as high of a draft pick as possible is likely the goal in Salt Lake City this upcoming season. One team that could show some interest in Markkanen, according to a scout that talked to NBA Analysis Network, is the Miami Heat. The scout believes that Markkanen would be a trade fit for the Heat.
“Duncan Robinson’s shooting elevates the Heat offensively, but he’s shown he’s pretty limited doing much else. I think you can hide Markkanen a bit better defensively and he’s got more to his offensive game. He’s quicker laterally than you’d expect, too. I could see him complementing Adebayo well and adding some layers to their offense.”
After striking out on Mitchell and Kevin Durant this offseason, it would make sense for Pat Riley to explore other avenues. However, completing a trade for Markkanen could have some hurdles as the relationship is not good between him and Ainge.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz & Miami Heat Updates
We have already seen Ainge possibly not negotiate in good faith once this offseason and the disdain between the two is well documented. Alas, Markkanen would be a good fit in South Beach as they currently have a gaping hole at the power forward spot.
P.J. Tucker departed in free agency, joining the Philadelphia 76ers and Miami has yet to replace him this offseason. An already thin position on the depth chart got even thinner with his departure as he was a main cog in the frontcourt rotation.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz & Miami Heat Updates
Markkanen, while not near the defender Tucker is, could at least soak up and provide positive minutes at the position. As the scout stated, he would likely be an upgrade on Duncan Robinson as he brings a little more to the table than the Michigan product.
