The NBA’s general managers are tasked with managing their assets. With that said, that’s not their primary goal. Their primary goal is to build a team that’s capable of winning NBA championships.
That means spending assets. It’s a balancing act. A team should hang onto their assets if they don’t have a title window. If they have a shot at the championship, it’s time to spend.
On the other hand, that’s not all that can motivate a team to spend. They can be tempted to spend more when they’ve already sunk assets into a core, even if they don’t look like title contenders. In for a penny, in for a pound as they say.
Could the Atlanta Hawks go in for a pound by acquiring Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz?
NBA Trade Proposal: Atlanta Hawks Land Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Receive: G Patty Mills, F Saddiq Bey, G Kobe Bufkin, G/F AJ Griffin, 2024 First-Round Pick (ATL), 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: F Lauri Markkanen
The Jazz seem to understand the importance of asset accumulation. This team’s front office stockpiled first-round picks last summer. They received a whopping four first-round picks in exchange for Rudy Gobert, and another three for Donovan Mitchell.
They also acquired Markkanen for Mitchell. When the trade occurred, he hadn’t taken his All-NBA leap yet. If Mitchell and Markkanen were involved in a trade today, there would be less draft capital exchanging hands – if any.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz Updates
In a sense, the Jazz won that trade. That could make trading Markkanen less attractive. The Jazz must feel some pride in having unearthed Markkanen’s potential.
Could they move him anyway?
Why The Utah Jazz Do The Deal
Sure. Let’s look at it from a different perspective. If the Jazz make this move, they’ll have traded Mitchell for five first-rounders in the aggregate.
That’s not all they’re getting. They’re also getting a handful of interesting young players here. It’s hard to say which of this trio of youngsters is most intriguing, so we’ll simply say this: they all bring something to the table.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz Updates
Moreover, the Jazz aren’t taking any meaningful money back here. We thought about different permutations of this deal. We could have sent Clint Capela along with more draft capital to Utah. In the end, we thought the Jazz would prefer this financial flexibility and youth.
Should the Hawks give so much up for Markkanen?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
Another job that a general manager has is to pick a direction. Half measures don’t typically lead to success in the NBA. As a general rule, you’re either developing young talent, or you’re moving it for win-now players.
Perhaps the Hawks should rebuild. This team is well outside of the title picture in 2023-24. At the same time, they already have Trae Young and Dejounte Murray on their roster. It seems as if the Hawks have picked their direction – they want to win.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Atlanta Hawks, Utah Jazz Updates
So, why not trade for Markkanen? His ability to space the floor will make life easier for the Hawks’ dual point guards. Markkanen can also create his own shot – that’s what makes him a star. He’s worth all of the assets that the Hawks are giving up here.
