The NBA is about talent. Nothing matters more. Sure, your team may fit together nicely. They may develop a reputation for defensive effort. If they don’t have enough talent, it’s all going to be a moot point.
Take the Utah Jazz. This team overperformed last season as a result of their roster construction. The pieces fit. This year, they’ve regressed to the mean. Outside of Lauri Markkanen, this team is lacking top end talent.
By contrast, the New Orleans Pelicans have ample talent. It’s starting to show in the standings. The Pelicans have been playing well lately. Could they make a move for Markkanen?
NBA Trade Proposal: New Orleans Pelicans Land Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas, G Kira Lewis Jr., 2024 First-Round Pick (LAL via NOP), 2026 First-Round Pick (NOP), 2028 First-Round Pick (NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
On the other hand, talent isn’t everything. We’ve seen talented teams fall short of expectations. When that happens, those teams typically fall apart.
Look at the recent history of the Jazz. This team had real championship aspirations, with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert on the roster. They didn’t achieve them. After several postseason failures, the Jazz fell apart.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
The Pelicans must fear the same outcome. Eventually, this team needs to make a deep postseason run. Otherwise, this team may fall apart.
Could acquiring Markkanen help them avoid that fate?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
Some will question our logic here. They’ll suggest that the Pelicans already have enough frontcourt depth. To be sure, the Pelicans are built around a pair of forwards in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
We’re not concerned. Markkanen can play the 5. Ingram can play the 2. Positional designations aren’t so important in the modern NBA. If the Pelicans want Markkanen, they can make it work.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
It could give them the most explosive offense in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Pelicans would have their star trio surrounded by outstanding, young defensive players. This deal could help them leap into title contention.
Should the Jazz help the Pelicans take that leap?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
The rumors around the Jazz this year have been a rollercoaster. For some time, it was suggested that they wouldn’t trade Markkanen. Lately, it seems increasingly likely that they could make a move involving him.
In all likelihood, they should. When the Jazz traded Mitchell and Gobert, they were supposed to rebuild. Last year, they exceeded expectations. In 2023-24, they’re proving something that we may have already known – the Jazz need to rebuild.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
So, three first-round picks for Markkanen ought to suffice for them. The Jazz already have a remarkable collection of draft capital. By adding these picks, they’d have tremendous flexibility moving forward. Still, they’ll have to land a franchise-caliber talent above all else.
