Lauri Markkanen could emerge as a notable trade candidate this season, with the Warriors among the teams linked to the Jazz star and Utah reportedly seeking two first-round picks in return.
Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen could be an intriguing name to follow throughout this NBA season as one of the top potential trade candidates.
NBA insider Sean Deveney of Heavy.com identified Markkanen as one of the more interesting cases among potential trade candidates, believing he doesn’t quite fit the Jazz’s current rebuilding timeline.
Warriors remain linked to Markkanen
Deveney mentioned the Golden State Warriors as one of the teams with long-standing trade interest in the Finnish forward.
He also noted that the Jazz would likely want two first-round picks in return for Markkanen.
“Lauri Markkanen with the Jazz would be a more interesting case, and the Jazz would likely want two first-rounders for him. He is 29 and not quite on this team’s rebuilding timeline, but he remains a top big-man scorer, and has long had the trade interest of teams around the NBA–most notably the Warriors, but others, too,” Deveney wrote.
“He’s struggled with health throughout his career, and three years and $150 million is a hefty contract to swallow, but that would not likely scare off a determined trading partner,” he added.
Injuries remain a concern 
Lauri Markkanen
Credit AP – Scanpix
Markkanen has struggled with injuries in the last couple of seasons, appearing in a combined 89 games over that stretch.
Last season, he averaged 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 42 appearances for the Jazz.
So far this season, he has averaged 15.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in around 28 minutes per contest.
Kristaps Porzingis, Warriors facing uncertain future
A potential trade for Lauri Markkanen could make sense for the Warriors as the team appears to be heading toward a split with Kristaps Porzingis.
Per recent reports, the Dubs are now exploring the market for the Latvian star, as Porzingis is contemplating retirement amidst an ongoing health bout from Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS).
Porzingis has been absent for Golden State throughout the media day, training camp, and the preseason. He is not with the Warriors to start the new season, as the Dubs internally do not expect the big man to play for them anymore.
Porzingis, who recently went viral after an Instagram post showed he took a dental checkup in Spain, signed a two-year deal with the Warriors for $40 million. His salary for next year is guaranteed for only $3 million.
Support BasketNews so we could make even better content.
If you like our content, please click here and add us as your preferred source. It helps us a lot, and we are committed to delivering you the very latest basketball news.