One NBA writer is proposing that the Philadelphia 76ers acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz. Lee Tran of Fadeaway World proposed the following three-team trade between the Sixers, Jazz and Los Angeles Clippers:
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: James Harden, Collin Sexton
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: Lauri Markkanen, Robert Covington
Utah Jazz Receive: Norman Powell, Marcus Morris Sr., Amir Coffey, Kobe Brown, Brandon Boston Jr., 2030 First-Round Pick (LAC), 2030 First-Round Pick (PHI), 2029 First-Round Pick Swap (PHI favoring UTA)
Markkanen is one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists last season for the Jazz while shooting 49.9% from the field, 39.1% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the free-throw line. The 26-year-old made his first All-Star team and won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Philadelphia 76ers & Utah Jazz Updates
The Jazz and Markkanen could agree to a renegotiate-and-extend-deal next year, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, so the Sixers probably won’t be trading for Markkanen this summer. Markkanen is owed $17.3 million next season. Only $6 million of his $18 million salary is guaranteed for the 2024-25 season. Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings agreed to a five-year, $217 million renegotiate-and-extend deal on July 1.
Markkanen has career NBA averages of 17.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He bought a house in Utah and loves playing for the Jazz, according to Scotto.
While it would be fun to watch Markkanen play with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, this NBA trade Tran came up with will likely never happen. In fact, NBA cap guru Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype told Scotto that he expects the Jazz to sign Markkanen to a new contract next year.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Philadelphia 76ers & Utah Jazz Updates
“I’m expecting that to happen. I’d be surprised if it doesn’t happen,” Gozlan said. “Out of all the things I could predict that’ll happen next offseason, number one is (Jayson) Tatum signing a supermax extension, and number two is Lauri doing his renegotiation.”
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