Basketball is a team sport. Yet, it can be dominated by individuals. That’s why the best teams in the NBA typically feature the best players.
Sure, a deep cast full of smart players can get you some wins. In the end, if you don’t have a superstar, you’re not likely to be a serious NBA title contender.
Just look at the Utah Jazz. This team has plenty of good players. They’ve even got a star player in Lauri Markkanen. On the other hand, he’s not the type of player that can lead a team to title contention.
This season, the Jazz are seeing that. In spite of another strong year from Markkanen, the Jazz are near the bottom of the NBA standings.
By contrast, the San Antonio Spurs may have their superstar of the future. Victor Wembanyama looks like he’ll develop into one of the best players in the NBA. Now, the Spurs need to put the right pieces around their future star.
Could they pair him with Markkanen?
NBA Trade Proposal: San Antonio Spurs Land Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Receive: G Devonte’ Graham, G/F Cedi Osman, 2025 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2027 First-Round Pick (ATL via SAS), 2029 First-Round Pick (SAS)
San Antonio Spurs Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
How does a team land a superstar? Well, there are a number of different paths. Some teams opt to seek a star in free agency. Yet, that’s becoming a less reliable avenue. In the era of player empowerment, free agency is dying. Now, you’re more likely to land a franchise-altering talent on the trade market.
Yet, even that can be a difficult route. Sure, you can trade for a star if you’ve got the assets – but it’s going to cost you. Just look at the Jazz. They received a grand total of seven first-round picks for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last year – including Markkanen.
The Cavaliers landed Mitchell, but they haven’t performed up to expectations with him – and now, they don’t have the assets to improve the team around him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs Updates
So, the draft has become the best way to land superstar talent. Still, every team won’t land a player like Wembanyama. The Spurs hit the jackpot.
Should they really make a trade for another star now?
Why The San Antonio Spurs Do The Deal
Why wouldn’t the Spurs trade for a star? Typically, teams that are this early in a rebuild don’t make that decision. They’d prefer to continue mining the draft in case a player doesn’t work out.
Sure – but if the Spurs aren’t confident in Wembanyama, they aren’t seeing what the rest of the world is seeing. That feels incredibly unlikely.
The Spurs don’t need to delay the process of getting competitive. They could make a move for a star now. Markkanen feels like a perfect fit.
Alongside Wembanyama in the frontcourt, he’d give the Spurs a tremendous amount of length and floor spacing. This feels like a good fit right now – and it should only get better in the future.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs Updates
After all, Markkanen is young enough to grow alongside Wembanyama. Sure, the Spurs are parting with three first-round picks, but Markkanen will still be in his prime when Wembanyama hits his. This could be the move that assembles their championship core.
Should the Jazz help them make it?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
The Jazz already have a lot of draft capital. This team has options. Yet, they don’t have their franchise player – Markkanen is more of a second banana.
We’ve already outlined why and how the draft is the best place for them to seek that player. So, that’s what they’d be doing here. The Jazz would likely be tanking for a couple of seasons.
It might be painful, but it should pay off in the long run. If the Jazz can land a player like Cooper Flagg or Cameron Boozer, they’ll be in a better position than they’re in now.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs Updates
After all, they’ll have the assets to trade for a co-star once that happens. Losing Markkanen may sting, but at this price, they’d have to consider it. As good as he is, he may not be someone who can lead them to a championship.
