As a general rule, NBA teams want to win. They’d rather avoid tanking. With that said, at times, it can be the only option. When a veteran team is struggling, sometimes, the best course of action is to start from scratch simply.
After all, tanking is a luxury. Every team can’t afford to do it. When a team doesn’t control their draft moving forward, they cannot exploit the lottery.
Just look at the Brooklyn Nets. This team owes control of its draft through to 2027 to the Houston Rockets. If they wanted to tank, the Rockets would benefit more than anybody.
On the other hand, the Utah Jazz could tank. They’ve mostly got control of their own draft, and they’ve got an impressive collection of picks from other teams as well. Jazz could justify that decision if they wanted to turn to the future.
Could they send Lauri Markkanen to the Jazz to do so?
NBA Trade Proposal: Brooklyn Nets Land Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Receive: F Dorian Finney-Smith, G/F Dariq Whitehead, 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (Top 8 Protected – PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (DAL via BKN)
Brooklyn Nets Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
Teams want to compete. That’s a general rule. It isn’t universal. Some teams blatantly make the decision to tank. Just look at the return that the Rockets received from the Nets in exchange for James Harden.
The Rockets didn’t get a significant player back. When they put Harden on the market, they were linked to some. Ben Simmons, Michael Porter Jr., and Jaylen Brown were all rumored to be heading to Houston.
If they really were on the table, the Rockets rejected them. Instead, they accepted a package from the Nets that was built purely on draft capital.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Surely, the Rockets knew they’d be in for some losing seasons after making that deal. So far, it’s looked like the right decision. Now that the Rockets owe their upcoming pick (with protections) to the Thunder, they look more competitive.
Could the Jazz go a similar route by moving Markkanen?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
Each of these teams has impressive collections of draft capital. So, this deal would shake the league’s market up in a major way. Suddenly, the Jazz would have a collection that rivals the Oklahoma City Thunder’s. Meanwhile, the Nets would be out of picks.
That’s a major advantage for Utah. This team has been disappointing in 2023-24. It does not appear that Markkanen can carry a playoff team.
The Jazz need to retool. They should be comfortable tanking for a couple of seasons until they’re able to land a franchise player. That won’t be so painful.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets Updates
After all, the Jazz will have the assets to easily build around that franchise player when the time comes. This deal puts them in a better long-term position.
What does it do for the Nets?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
It feels obvious that the Nets should eventually trade some draft capital for a star. On the other hand, Markkanen isn’t necessarily the obvious target.
Plenty of fans would prefer to see them land an offensive guard instead. Why? Markkanen is a perfectly good fit with this roster. Mikal Bridges can slot down to the two, with Cameron Johnson at the three.
Meanwhile, Markkanen can create his own shot, and do it efficiently – he’d give this team’s offense a major boost. If the Nets have reservations here, they’ll be financial ones.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets Updates
Ben Simmons is on a major contract, and Nicolas Claxton will be due for one next summer. We think it’s worth the cost. The Nets need to add an offensive star – after all, they’re in no position to tank.
