5 plausible(?) Lauri trades (CHA, DET, NOP, SAC, SAS)

[babyjax13]

Most of these are deals I have posted and adjusted from feedback. I think Utah should trade Lauri and there are a range of plausible deals. All of these are direct trades for simplicity, but perhaps they open ideas for other deals. I've also included my assessment of each (FWIW). Which of these do you find plausible? Which teams should pull the trigger?

I will also add that I think Utah should bottom out and trade for assets. We need to fully commit to the rebuild, no doing what we have done the last three seasons (I HATE resting players who can play, I think it is disruptive to team chemistry and the development of young players b/c their roles are so uncertain).

Admittedly, part of this is also a bit corrective. I think Utah fans are generally too high on Lauri's value, but the board as a whole is too low.

w/CHA
CHA trades: 4, Jusuf Nurkic, Grant Williams, Josh Green
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, 21, 2027 UTA/LAL/CLE/MIN 1st (worst not conveyed to PHX), 2029 UTA/MIN/CLE 1st (second best)
Utah gets another top 5 pick for Lauri without creating a long-term cap nightmare. Charlotte continues to make their team more serious and they also add some future picks to deal for any final piece(s) [e.g., could they also add Gobert using these picks?]. Utah should do this, I am not sure if Charlotte should, but I think they should think about it if offered.

w/DET
DET trades: Ron Holland, Tobias Harris, Simone Fontecchio, 2026 DET 1st
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson
Detroit adds elite floor spacing and a nice second option to Cade (who should play incredibly off of him). Utah gets a recent lottery pick, a future first, and moves long-term money + gets immediate savings that might be convertible into an asset. Utah should only do this if nothing else is available, I think Detroit should do this if available.

w/NOP
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, 21
NOP trades: DeJounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, Karko Matkovic, 7, 2026 IND 1st (1-4 protected thru 2027, otherwise 2 2nds)
New Orleans gets a really fun offensive fit with Zion, Utah gets a top-10 pick + a 2026 first (we don't have multiple picks in even years) and some younger players to look at. If Murray rehabs any value that is a bonus. Utah should do this if available, I think New Orleans should rebuild.

w/SAC
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, [possibly add pick #21 to balance]
SAC trades: DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, Devin Carter, 2026 SAC 1st (unprotected), 2027 SAS 1st (debate protections)
Sacramento gets a player who would be really fun playing off of Sabonis. Utah gets a 2026 1st from a team in an extremely competitive Western Conference that also routinely makes bad decisions. Utah should do this if available (this is my favorite deal of all of these), I think Sacramento should rebuild.

w/SAS
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, [possibly add pick #21 or change the 2027 1st into a swap where SAS receives the worst of UTA/CLE/MIN/LAL 1sts conveyed to UTA to balance]
SAS trades: Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, 14, 2027 ATL 1st
San Antonio gets a really fun fit with Wemby and their troika of rim-attacking guards. Utah adds a lottery pick and a 2027 1st with the potential to be a lottery pick. I like this better than the Detroit deal for Utah, but it is my least favorite otherwise ... we should do it if none of the others are available. I think San Antonio should do this if they aren't going for Giannis or Durant.

[SkyHook]

Most of these are deals I have posted and adjusted from feedback. I think Utah should trade Lauri and there are a range of plausible deals. All of these are direct trades for simplicity, but perhaps they open ideas for other deals. I've also included my assessment of each (FWIW). Which of these do you find plausible? Which teams should pull the trigger?

I will also add that I think Utah should bottom out and trade for assets. We need to fully commit to the rebuild, no doing what we have done the last three seasons (I HATE resting players who can play, I think it is disruptive to team chemistry and the development of young players b/c their roles are so uncertain).

Admittedly, part of this is also a bit corrective. I think Utah fans are generally too high on Lauri's value, but the board as a whole is too low.

w/CHA
CHA trades: 4, Jusuf Nurkic, Grant Williams, Josh Green
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, 21, 2027 UTA/LAL/CLE/MIN 1st (worst not conveyed to PHX), 2029 UTA/MIN/CLE 1st (second best)
Utah gets another top 5 pick for Lauri without creating a long-term cap nightmare. Charlotte continues to make their team more serious and they also add some future picks to deal for any final piece(s) [e.g., could they also add Gobert using these picks?]. Utah should do this, I am not sure if Charlotte should, but I think they should think about it if offered.

w/DET
DET trades: Ron Holland, Tobias Harris, Simone Fontecchio, 2026 DET 1st
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, Jordan Clarkson
Detroit adds elite floor spacing and a nice second option to Cade (who should play incredibly off of him). Utah gets a recent lottery pick, a future first, and moves long-term money + gets immediate savings that might be convertible into an asset. Utah should only do this if nothing else is available, I think Detroit should do this if available.

w/NOP
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, 21
NOP trades: DeJounte Murray, Jordan Hawkins, Karko Matkovic, 7, 2026 IND 1st (1-4 protected thru 2027, otherwise 2 2nds)
New Orleans gets a really fun offensive fit with Zion, Utah gets a top-10 pick + a 2026 first (we don't have multiple picks in even years) and some younger players to look at. If Murray rehabs any value that is a bonus. Utah should do this if available, I think New Orleans should rebuild.

w/SAC
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, [possibly add pick #21 to balance]
SAC trades: DeMar DeRozan, Jonas Valanciunas, Devin Carter, 2026 SAC 1st (unprotected), 2027 SAS 1st (debate protections)
Sacramento gets a player who would be really fun playing off of Sabonis. Utah gets a 2026 1st from a team in an extremely competitive Western Conference that also routinely makes bad decisions. Utah should do this if available (this is my favorite deal of all of these), I think Sacramento should rebuild.

w/SAS
UTA trades: Lauri Markkanen, [possibly add pick #21 or change the 2027 1st into a swap where SAS receives the worst of UTA/CLE/MIN/LAL 1sts conveyed to UTA to balance]
SAS trades: Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, 14, 2027 ATL 1st
San Antonio gets a really fun fit with Wemby and their troika of rim-attacking guards. Utah adds a lottery pick and a 2027 1st with the potential to be a lottery pick. I like this better than the Detroit deal for Utah, but it is my least favorite otherwise ... we should do it if none of the others are available. I think San Antonio should do this if they aren't going for Giannis or Durant.

With each of these there's reasons for one side or the other to pass, but none of them are egregiously off in value. Because of the bolded, coming up with a Lauri deal is the impossible dream both here and, to a lesser extent, in the real world.

I'm in the "keep Lauri" camp as I think that the Jazz can be godawful with him on the team simply by moving Collins and Sexton, replacing them with the league's detritus, and maximizing George's minutes.

[longfellow44]

I hate the idea of markkanen next to sabonis. The defense would be sooooooo bad. The kings might score 140 pts per night but our opponents would score 141. Also I think this is a little too much for the kings to give up.

[OGSactownballer]

Not a snowball’s chance in Utah the Kings trade a package like that for Lauri.

Unprotected ‘26 first?!?!?! Crazy talk.

Scott Perry gathers draft picks to trade for stars that complete the team. He doesn’t give them away in what is looking to be an epic draft top to bottom. And the gross picture of seeing Lau I and Domas together just made me throw up in my mouth a little.

[babyjax13]

Not a snowball’s chance in Utah the Kings trade a package like that for Lauri.

Unprotected ‘26 first?!?!?! Crazy talk.

Scott Perry gathers draft picks to trade for stars that complete the team. He doesn’t give them away in what is looking to be an epic draft top to bottom. And the gross picture of seeing Lau I and Domas together just made me throw up in my mouth a little.

I could see very light sliding protections (eventually resulting in an unprotected pick), but yes, I think this is the cost of Lauri IF Sacramento is interested. RE: the comments on Perry, I don't think we have enough information to know Perry's preferences - but we do have enough information to know that Vivek always thinks his team can be improved to compete, that he meddles in what the FO does, and that this results in directionally weird trades. I agree that Sacramento shouldn't do this, and further, that they should tear down the team. But we saw the Fox trade, and I don't think that was McNair's preference.

[JMAC3]

Is Markannen even all that positive in trade value at this point? Back to back years of his production and efficiency going down.... all while his salary has gone up. He is 20th highest paid player in the league at 46 million and might not even be a top 40 player.

19 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.5 apg as the #1 option on 52% efg%.
85th best player in the league this year in EPM.

I wouldn't move the 4th pick for him, he is a third option that is paid as a first option now.

I realize the deal is sending Charlotte more picks, but they already have a bunch of firsts.

[One_and_Done]

Lauri is arguably a negative asset at this point, given his regression and contract. The trades above treat him as a big positive, and so don't work.

[williambh3]

I can’t see most of these teams having any interest in Lauri for defense / roster fit / rebuild stage reasons. Maybe Detroit, but not at that price - unless they’ve completely given up on Holland (which I doubt because he was always going to be a project).

[Diop]

Is Markannen even all that positive in trade value at this point? Back to back years of his production and efficiency going down.... all while his salary has gone up. He is 20th highest paid player in the league at 46 million and might not even be a top 40 player.

19 ppg, 6 rpg, 1.5 apg as the #1 option on 52% efg%.
85th best player in the league this year in EPM.

I wouldn't move the 4th pick for him, he is a third option that is paid as a first option now.

I realize the deal is sending Charlotte more picks, but they already have a bunch of firsts.

also rarely manages 60 games a year.

#4 for Markkanen is an easy no for Charlotte

[mg]

Detroit and the Spurs make the most sense assuming Spurs don't make a deal for a bigger name such as KD.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I don't think trading for Lauri is as offensive as some make it out to be. This draft is, IMO, quite weak after Flagg, Harper, and Edgecombe, so these picks should not be seen as unattainable assets. Lauri had a lousy year but is still going to provide reliably low-turnover scoring creation, which a lot of teams need. If Utah is prepared to take unwanted salary with draft compensation, it's certainly plausible they could get a deal done.

EDIT: I guess I do have to admit that I don't have a particular deal to a particular city in mind. Hmm...

That said, I think 2026 unprotected picks are out of the question, and, as I said in another thread, I don't think he works at all for the Spurs.

[SkyHook]

I don't think trading for Lauri is as offensive as some make it out to be. This draft is, IMO, quite weak after Flagg, Harper, and Edgecombe, so these picks should not be seen as unattainable assets. Lauri had a lousy year but is still going to provide reliably low-turnover scoring creation, which a lot of teams need. If Utah is prepared to take unwanted salary with draft compensation, it's certainly plausible they could get a deal done.

EDIT: I guess I do have to admit that I don't have a particular deal to a particular city in mind. Hmm...

That said, I think 2026 unprotected picks are out of the question, and, as I said in another thread, I don't think he works at all for the Spurs.

I continue to see a Lauri trade as a highly unlikely outcome. The chasm in valuation is far too wide to bridge, imo.

[Tim Lehrbach]

I don't think trading for Lauri is as offensive as some make it out to be. This draft is, IMO, quite weak after Flagg, Harper, and Edgecombe, so these picks should not be seen as unattainable assets. Lauri had a lousy year but is still going to provide reliably low-turnover scoring creation, which a lot of teams need. If Utah is prepared to take unwanted salary with draft compensation, it's certainly plausible they could get a deal done.

EDIT: I guess I do have to admit that I don't have a particular deal to a particular city in mind. Hmm...

That said, I think 2026 unprotected picks are out of the question, and, as I said in another thread, I don't think he works at all for the Spurs.

I continue to see a Lauri trade as a highly unlikely outcome. The chasm in valuation is far too wide to bridge, imo.

This might be right. Matching Lauri's salary is the biggest obstacle to me, really. A team likely has to be willing to sacrifice current rotation players Utah does not value and something Utah actually wants to bring him in. So Lauri needs to represent either a terrific fit or a massive upgrade, and it really does become a tough needle to thread when you consider how big the offer has to be simply due to the salary, let alone the assets. Where I'd disagree with the detractors is that Lauri, the player, is viewed negatively. If a team wants off certain contracts enough and has an asset(s) they rate lower than Lauri, there's a potential match, whatever RealGM thinks of it. Players deemed immovable... almost always get moved.

[SkyHook]

I don't think trading for Lauri is as offensive as some make it out to be. This draft is, IMO, quite weak after Flagg, Harper, and Edgecombe, so these picks should not be seen as unattainable assets. Lauri had a lousy year but is still going to provide reliably low-turnover scoring creation, which a lot of teams need. If Utah is prepared to take unwanted salary with draft compensation, it's certainly plausible they could get a deal done.

EDIT: I guess I do have to admit that I don't have a particular deal to a particular city in mind. Hmm...

That said, I think 2026 unprotected picks are out of the question, and, as I said in another thread, I don't think he works at all for the Spurs.

I continue to see a Lauri trade as a highly unlikely outcome. The chasm in valuation is far too wide to bridge, imo.

This might be right. Matching Lauri's salary is the biggest obstacle to me, really. A team likely has to be willing to sacrifice current rotation players Utah does not value and something Utah actually wants to bring him in. So Lauri needs to represent either a terrific fit or a massive upgrade, and it really does become a tough needle to thread when you consider how big the offer has to be simply due to the salary, let alone the assets. Where I'd disagree with the detractors is that Lauri, the player, is viewed negatively. If a team wants off certain contracts enough and has an asset(s) they rate lower than Lauri, there's a potential match, whatever RealGM thinks of it. Players deemed immovable... almost always get moved.

Agreed. Lauri is less than 18 months removed from being a top-8 EPM guy over halfway through the 23-24 season, right before the Jazz pulled the rug out from under him and tanked for good. (I remember specifically because I posted about his EOM ranking at the time.) He hasn't dropped off or forgotten how to play so much as he's been undermined by the machinations of his team.

[babyjax13]

I continue to see a Lauri trade as a highly unlikely outcome. The chasm in valuation is far too wide to bridge, imo.

This might be right. Matching Lauri's salary is the biggest obstacle to me, really. A team likely has to be willing to sacrifice current rotation players Utah does not value and something Utah actually wants to bring him in. So Lauri needs to represent either a terrific fit or a massive upgrade, and it really does become a tough needle to thread when you consider how big the offer has to be simply due to the salary, let alone the assets. Where I'd disagree with the detractors is that Lauri, the player, is viewed negatively. If a team wants off certain contracts enough and has an asset(s) they rate lower than Lauri, there's a potential match, whatever RealGM thinks of it. Players deemed immovable... almost always get moved.

Agreed. Lauri is less than 18 months removed from being a top-8 EPM guy over halfway through the 23-24 season, right before the Jazz pulled the rug out from under him and tanked for good. (I remember specifically because I posted about his EOM ranking at the time.) He hasn't dropped off or forgotten how to play so much as he's been undermined by the machinations of his team.

Which is why Danny and Zanik should be fired.

[zimpy27]

I really like the idea of Suns getting Lauri+Kessler back in a Durant trade.

Suns get Lauri+Kessler
Jazz get 3rd team assets
3rd team gets Durant


Means 3rd team can give up picks package for Durant while Suns get perfect fitting piece for Beal-Booker-Dunn

[meekrab]

I really like the idea of Suns getting Lauri+Kessler back in a Durant trade.

Suns get Lauri+Kessler
Jazz get 3rd team assets
3rd team gets Durant


Means 3rd team can give up picks package for Durant while Suns get perfect fitting piece for Beal-Booker-Dunn

Sadly this means 3rd team has to pay Ainge prices for Lauri and Kessler (since the Suns have what left to trade, swaps on their 2nds? ) which would probably be way more than what the Suns would accept for Durant.

[tester551]

Lauri is arguably a negative asset at this point, given his regression and contract. The trades above treat him as a big positive, and so don't work.

Thats where Im at. I think all these are very skewed in favor of Jazz

[BoogieTime]

It’s too much for Lauri’s bad year starting a big contract

Imagine a player starting a contract after a year of being bad, that can go majorly sideways

It’s one asset

[tmorgan]

If, big if, Detroit wants in on Lauri, I don’t think it’ll include Holland.

Detroit can only take on a little money, because the resigning of Beasley and probably Schroder are a priority as well.

So it would definitely include Tobias Harris (26.6, expiring) and Fontecchio (8.3, expiring). Lauri is 46.4 next year, so that’s +11.5 mil, which is likely too much to make everything else work out.

I recall discussing Jaden Ivey and the Jazz fans not having much interest, particularly now with his injury. Should be fine, clean break, but people want to see him in action first. Money works well there (last year of rookie deal, 10.1 mil, extension eligible), but some Pistons fans would be against his inclusion as well.

Other available minor salaries are Klintman and Sasser. They don’t make up much value in the deal.

I personally have no problem including our 2026 pick, lotto ball (top 4) protected, repeating in 2027, unprotected 2028. We shouldn’t be a lottery team, but an injury to Cade would cause a lot of problems. So far, then, that’s the proposed trade minus Holland (unless Ivey is acceptable instead).

Detroit has no need for Clarkson. He’s not efficient enough to supplant anyone in the rotation except the defense-first guys, which won’t happen. It’s also money we can’t take to keep the guys we want keep. Now if you want to talk Sexton, that’s different, because he could replace Beasley. That’ll get you another pick.

So… something like Lauri and Sexton for Ivey, Harris, Fontecchio, DET26 (top 4, then unprot), DET28 (top 7, top 4, unprot) is my counter. It eats all our space, but we’d have the MLE to find one more piece and the BAE as well. MLE could be used for Beasley if we want to keep the firepower.

Cade/Sexton/(Sasser)
Sexton/Beasley/Holland
Ausar/Holland
Lauri/?/(Klintman)
Duren/Stewart

That’s a pretty nice 8 guys, with need for a 9th that plays some PF. Sasser, Klintman, maybe Reed comes back, and the 37th pick gets it to 13. Maybe THJ stays on a vet min or we replace him with something similar.