The Jazz are “welcoming” inquiries on Lauri Markkanen, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, who wonders if Utah’s offseason could play out like Brooklyn’s has. The Nets agreed to trade Mikal Bridges after efforts to pair him with an impact player came up short. Utah has also explored the trade market for a possible second star to complement Markkanen, talking to Brooklyn about Bridges (as previously reported) and to the Hawks about both Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, sources tell Fischer.
While it’s possible the Jazz will follow the Nets’ lead, selling off their lone star after failing to land another one, they don’t appear eager to part with Markkanen. According to Fischer, the Jazz have conveyed that they remain interested in renegotiating and extending Markkanen’s contract later this offseason and that listening to every offer for the star forward is just about due diligence.
As reported earlier today, both the Warriors and Spurs have interest in Markkanen, Fischer confirms, naming the Kings and Timberwolves as a couple more teams to watch. However, Sacramento’s reluctance to put Keegan Murray on the table in trade scenarios – which NBA personnel believe would be necessary to land Markkanen – may result in the Kings shifting their trade focus to Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram, Fischer writes. As for the Wolves, they’re operating over the second apron and barely have any future draft capital available, so it’s hard to envision a way for them to make a serious play for Markkanen.
Here’s more from Fischer:
- The Magic may not end up using all of their cap room on free agents or trades — according to Fischer (Twitter link), they’re working on possibly renegotiating and extending forward Jonathan Isaac‘s contract. A team with cap space can use it to give a player a raise on his current-year salary, then reduce his salary by up to 40% in the first year of an extension, so Orlando may be looking at essentially giving Isaac a bonus this season to get him a team-friendly deal beginning in 2025/26.
- Although LeBron James has expressed a willingness to take a pay cut if it allows the Lakers to bring in an impact player, Fischer writes that the team seems to be running out of potential targets – and time – to make that happen. The Lakers “hold an affinity” for DeMar DeRozan, but they’d likely have to incorporate a third team to move off some salary, including perhaps D’Angelo Russell or Gabe Vincent, to have a shot at DeRozan, according to Fischer.
- The Nets could be a trade destination for Russell. Sources tell Fischer that Brooklyn has been open to the idea of a reunion with Russell since February’s trade deadline.
- If Klay Thompson had re-signed with the Warriors, the plan was to bring him off the bench next season behind second-year guard Brandin Podziemski, according to Fischer. Thompson appears likely to be a starter in Dallas.
Jazz used the beautiful words to say something to the public, no need.
Trade Lauri, make it straight forward. Jazz don’t want to overpay him in the future.
Lauri has more trade value than Ingram, IMO
Derozen should go to clippers,don’t go to lakers where you will get the Bron blame…
And that’s exactly what would happen if they fell short. AD’s fault, DDR’s fault, etc.
LeBron has put up really good numbers, but he hasn’t had the same impact on his teammates and the game for close to a handful of years now. With proper rest and scheduling he’s still able to do it in spurts, but he simply can’t handle a full load at his age…And understandably so, he’s got a ton of mileage on his knees.
However, people act like if you say ANYTHING negative about LeBron you’re bashing him and you’re just a LeBron hater…lol
I have a ton of respect for his talent and what he’s done for alot of younger kids. I may still call MJ my GOAT, but that certainly isn’t a knock on LeBron. Now, I don’t necessarily agree with some of the decisions he’s made, or how he’s gone about his contracts and leveraging for power, but that’s business and that’s his life.
Regardless what anyone says he’s good for the game, and when he’s competitive it makes things more interesting. I hope the Lakers can find a way to compete this year, but their roster still needs a good bit of work.
It’s the lebron cycle. He’s never been able to carry a team the way Bird, Johnson, Mj did.
Tried many years in Cleveland.
Went to Miami who handed him 2 HOFs in Wade and Bosh plus very good role players. He left right around when Bosh began to decline due to health issues.
Then in Cleveland their bad years gifted them Irving and the ability to trade Wiggins for Love (2 more HOFs). Left for LA when things began to deteriorate in Cle a 2nd time.
In LA he couldn’t carry Ball Ingram Kuzma and had them go out and get AD.
Pretty much everywhere he’s been it’s been teams carrying Lebron quite honestly.
Hes a great nba player and his stats are undeniable but far as all time greats idk too many that bounced around from premium destination to premium destination and had teams put themselves in bad situations financially and draft pick wise to carry a star with other great players or good role players.
Plus if you remove Lebron and put another star in his place Miami still wins championships.
Cleveland still wins a championship if GSW blows the 3-1 lead with Irving and Love.
LA still wins it with AD and another star esp if that star could have played defense.
Jazz don’t need picks any more.
Jazz need young players such as Kuminga, Kings Murray, Vassell or Naz Reid
GSW becomes so scary if they can get Lauri for any/all of Wiggins, GP2, Looney, Podz and draft picks.
you have to include Kuminga… same with Paul George….
Warriors will not trade Podski. He’s too valuable.
Kuminga, Moody, GP2, and two unprotected first round picks.
That’s all the Warriors would offer for Lauri, nothing more.
And it won’t be enough.
So we are looking at running it back or Brandon ingram, Demar Derozan, Zach Lavine. And those three would be unfavorable pickups for the most part.
Welcome to the tax-free 2025 Golden State warriors.
LET THE KIDS PLAY! They should have done that 2 yrs ago. It is what it is…. the sooner the better…. Now, they have to decide what to do with Curry and Green. Time is running out…. must make decision while they still have value.
If Podski is what it would take to get Markannen I don’t think the Warrior would hesitate.
Based on?
DeRozan feels like a bad fit in LA, they need shooters
Warriors had excellent start to this offseason. It was all about gathering assets, going below luxury tax. Rebuilding is REALLY here!!
It doesn’t seem like a lot of Warriors fans are aware/on board with that plan
Lakers should have gotten Derozan from Spurs years ago. He gives them mid range scoring and a guy that can create his own shots when Lebron is out. He’s also an enervated passer. That said I don’t think it happens because JJ is going to want 3 point shooters
Lakers get DeRozan
Bulls get DLo, Vincent and 1 First
Lakers should do this trade
Nets get DLo
Warriors get two Seconds from Lakers
Lakers get Klay
Are you living in a time zone that’s like 2 days behind or are you actually a bot. Klay Thompson is in Dallas.
He’s a bot that either knows nothing about basketball or doesn’t actually watch because Silly’s takes are always so bad that he’s clearly working for the site to generate activity on these message boards
This is simply a question of whether Spurs want him at this point. They tried to get him in the 2021 Derozan trade but they say they are focused on 2025 for big additions. The only way they’d do it is if he’d sign an extension now.
W’s can’t match what Spurs could offer if they decide to go all in
Lakers really missed the boat in free agency. No one seems to want to play with LeBron.
That’s ridiculous – they have no cap room – can only do sign and trades
I’d like to see Utah make a play for Trae Young and keep Lauri.
There’s really no reason to not go for it.
You have a bunch of picks already because of the Spida and Gobert deals, not like they’ve given anything away from memory.
Not to mention you already have a bunch of young players in Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, Walker Kessler, Isiah Collier, Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski, Bruce Sensabaugh and so on.
Trae Young for Colin Sexton, John Collins, Keyonte George, Brice Sensabaugh, 4 firsts and 2 pick swaps
That still leaves you a solid roster
Trae … Lauri Hendricks Kessler
Clarkson … Williams Filipowski Eubanks
Collier Lofton
Probably need to add a good perimeter defender or two, plus some more experience, but overall that’s still a solid looking team.
Between Trae and Lauri your getting 50-60 points per game, I also think because of Trae playmaking ability Walker Kessler would bounce back into form and really improve. Taylor Hendricks I think is worth keeping and building with this core. He’s a great defender and nice shooter, which is what you what around these two. Jordan Clarkson stays on as the 6th man a job he’s been terrific at over the years. I actually really like this team.
As for ATL you get back 2 nice role players, a really good young guard and a decent young forward plus 4 first round picks and 2 swaps.
Moving forward it’s about George Risacher Jalen and Okungwu. Bogdanovic probably stays as the vet. Sexton can be the 6th man, but I’d listen to offers on Capela, Hunter and Collins.
It would be a rebuild but you’d have a decent core to start with and a bunch of picks for the future.
Yes it’s alot of give up but you have the picks and young have the young talent to be aggressive. If Hendricks and Williams can develop quickly your going to be a sneaky good side real quick
Thompson starting for Dallas could make them worse defensively. Hello defense wins Championships.
What’s that got to do with my post about Utah….
Don’t quit your day job
In all seriousness in order for there to be a trade including Lauri and Trae,the Hawks would have to send back at least 4 unprotected picks and swaps. Trae has negative trade value, no one wants him on a max contract. one of the worst contracts in the NBA
Disagree….
That’s a horrible trade!!! Why would Utah do that?? You should definitely keep your thoughts to yourself
DeR to Lakers would be major. But I definitely can see him as a Clipper.
Dlo, Reaves and JHS for Cam Johnson and Dennis Schroder
Then get DeRozan via FA possibly even Lowry
Lowry DeRozan Johnson Bron AD
Schroder Knecht Rui Vando Wood
Bronny Christie Lewis Hayes
You do the Nets trade in order to free up the SG spot for DeRozan and in order to bring in Cam who is an elite shooter. Schroder then returns and plays a 6th man role and Kyle Lowry links up with his mate DeRozan and tries to win another title.
They’d have good depth and have an even balance of youth and experience.
Really comes down to how much do Brooklyn want Reaves cause they already have Cam Thomas so maybe you need a third team.
Dlo returning would be cool and you get JHS as a back up to develop aswell.
No
“The Jazz are “welcoming” inquiries on Lauri Markkanen…”
I guess this means no “big game hunting” for Danny Boy after all, but rather proceeding to make bank for owner Ryan Smith with the league’s lowest payroll.