Lauri to OKC

[eyeatoma]

I just really don't like the fit of Lauri on OKC.

His thing is that he's just an elite elite off-screens shooter.

The only way you can defend him around good screens is to switch.

He's just a DREAM fit with Embiid. Embiid would pummel guys setting screens for Markkanen and then the defense has to choose between three options.

1. Give Markkanen an open three
2. Give Markkanen an open lane for a dunk
3. Switch and let Embiid destroy a PF

And Maxey would be handling the ball while Markkanen is coming off an Embiid screen so you can't send a third guy to realistically help on these off-ball screens. Just a perfect fit if Nurse runs a ton of off-screens stuff.

Meanwhile... I don't think Chet sets very good screens... And a switch doesn't make much difference as Chet won't punish PFs.

Since you brought this up, what does philly have that the jazz would want in a trade?

Up to 5 1st round picks, De'Anthony Melton, possibly Kelly Oubre in a sign an trade. Could also change it to Paul Reed who the Jazz wanted or Ricky Council.

[eyeatoma]

It makes SO MUCH sense for the Thunder-they should have made a big offer this deadline, but still, time to upgrade. Lauri would fit perfectly in their lineup-Shai/Dort/JWill/Lauri/Chet, with plenty of bench pieces.

Utah needs a franchise player, and maybe the '25 draft is their chance. They get Giddy/Dieng to add to Henricks/George/Sexton/Kessler as their young pieces, plus more picks (always makes Ainge happy)

Lauri for #12, Dieng, Giddy plus the Miami '25 pick, plus Utah's rights back to their pick from OKC

OKC becomes favorites next season
Utah can deal Clarkson and Collins too and start all over. They can absorb salaries some for more future picks to get up to the salary floor, or roll into the season with tons of cap space, to facilitate deals for more future picks

Think he's a good fit, but they need to give up more, if not, they need to give more 1st round picks, as Jalen Williams isn't in the trade.

[Mr Loggins]

Lauri would require a real player in return. Giddey is a role player. Feels light for Utah.

This is where it gets interesting. I’m
imagining Lauri is going to want to max next offseason. If your okc - or any team for that matter - are you going to give it to him?

Somebody will give Markkanen a max, because if he gets to free agency it's all but guaranteed that a team will make the offer.

I agree. I just wouldn’t want to be a fan of that team that does it, as I don’t see a team with him as a foundational piece doing much

[wolves_89]

This is where it gets interesting. I’m
imagining Lauri is going to want to max next offseason. If your okc - or any team for that matter - are you going to give it to him?

Somebody will give Markkanen a max, because if he gets to free agency it's all but guaranteed that a team will make the offer.

I agree. I just wouldn’t want to be a fan of that team that does it, as I don’t see a team with him as a foundational piece doing much

I think there is a decent chance that whoever pays him will come to regret it, but that's just the way the league works for guys who are right at the edge of being worth a max deal.