The Lauri Markkanen trade situation

HadAnEffectHere · Post #1 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 4:12 pm

Lauri Markkanen is healthy and playing hard again and looks way better this year, probably giving him some trade value. However, his salary and position make him a slightly awkward fit for a trade with only four real teams having the ability to trade for him while having any reason to trade for him

The potential teams and packages are

1. Spurs: Harrison Barnes, Keldon Johnson, Kornet, 2-3 picks
2. Pistons: Tobias Harris, Beef Stew or Duncan Robinson, picks or Ron Holland
3. Lakers: Rui, Vanderbilt, Vincent, Kleber, picks
4. Heat: Ware, Wiggins, Rozier

... And I don't even know if Rozier can be traded right now...

Other great fits on paper (like Markkanen for Lively+) simply do not work mechanically due to salary constraints. What destinations are most likely for Lauri in your opinion?

HadAnEffectHere · Post #2 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 4:26 pm

As for the "blah blah blah, why should the Jazz trade him," with Markkanen and Keyonte George playing much better and Collier and Cody out of the rotation, the Jazz look like a 28-32 win team with few interesting prospects on the roster and a top 8 owed pick. They have to trade Markkanen to tank or they need to trade some picks for real guards if they want to try to win. They have to trade him or trade for some vets as the league is very much on their ass about faking injuries this year.

AingesBurner · Post #3 » by **AingesBurner** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 5:19 pm

Lakers have no picks of value.

SlimShady83 · Post #4 » by **SlimShady83** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 5:37 pm

HadAnEffectHere wrote:As for the "blah blah blah, why should the Jazz trade him,"

Are the Jazz finally going to stop tanking this year? If so then yes I might agree with you about "Not trading him/Kessler" but in saying that I still believe they'll keep on with the full rebuild and trade both eventually we'll see, praying at least 1 will be on the Lakers

pipfan · Post #5 » by **pipfan** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 6:02 pm

I've been pushing for my Bulls to go after Lauri. I think he's an AWESOME fit with White/Giddey/Matas.

Utah has Kessler/Flip/Henricks but could use another prospect like Noa too

I'd offer Vuc (maybe to a 3rd team)/Terry/Carter (buyout)/Noa/Port pick. Maybe have to offer the Bulls' 2026 pick too for Lauri?

Utah saves a bunch of future $ and assures a bottom 5 finish. They add Noa and save $, plus the Port pick and maybe the 2026 Bull's pick

Bulls go for it with
White/Jones/Ayo
Giddey/Okoro/Ayo
Matas//Huerter
Lauri/PWill
Collins/JSmith

That would be a fun lineup

kristov · Post #6 » by **kristov** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 7:14 pm

Explain the reasons why Lauri has more value than Lavine had last season cause I don't see it. Huge salary and misses a significant amount of games every year. On top of that he sucked badly last season.

Post #7 » by **jbk1234** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 7:29 pm

kristov wrote:Explain the reasons why Lauri has more value than Lavine had last season cause I don't see it. Huge salary and misses a significant amount of games every year. On top of that he sucked badly last season.

LaVine hijacks the offense while Lauri complements it. Also, Lauri is a better defender (an admittedly low bar). After his current contract is up, I'm not sure LaVine starts again in the NBA, while I'm confident Lauri starts on most teams. Lauri is overpaid and that'll lower his value, but that's really where the similarities end.

WinterSoldier · Post #8 » by **WinterSoldier** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 7:29 pm

kristov wrote:Explain the reasons why Lauri has more value than Lavine had last season cause I don't see it. Huge salary and misses a significant amount of games every year. On top of that he sucked badly last season.

Lauri's position is way more valuable, a 7 footer who can shoot like a guard is rare. He also can fit into almost any offense scheme and make it better without the ball in his hand the entire game. He also is oversized for the 3/4 making him a matchup anomaly for defenses. He will also bring spacing at the four which is a huge advantage in the NBA.

Lavine is almost a negative because his skill-set needs the ball to be effective making him a ball-stopper and slowing the offense down. His usage is forces him to be a playmaker which he is average at best. Lavine isn't bad but in the League it's supply and demand what he does isn't very unique for a guard and therefor lessens his market value.

babyjax13 · Post #9 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 7:55 pm

pipfan wrote:I've been pushing for my Bulls to go after Lauri. I think he's an AWESOME fit with White/Giddey/Matas.

Utah has Kessler/Flip/Henricks but could use another prospect like Noa too

I'd offer Vuc (maybe to a 3rd team)/Terry/Carter (buyout)/Noa/Port pick. Maybe have to offer the Bulls' 2026 pick too for Lauri?

Utah saves a bunch of future $ and assures a bottom 5 finish. They add Noa and save $, plus the Port pick and maybe the 2026 Bull's pick

Bulls go for it with
White/Jones/Ayo
Giddey/Okoro/Ayo
Matas//Huerter
Lauri/PWill
Collins/JSmith

That would be a fun lineup

We really could not use another prospect like Noah. He is a value add, but he isn't the centerpiece of a trade at all when we have prospects we like at his position.

Post #10 » by **Mavrelous** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 8:15 pm

Tobias + Ausar + filler

kristov · Post #11 » by **kristov** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 8:51 pm

jbk1234 wrote:
kristov wrote:Explain the reasons why Lauri has more value than Lavine had last season cause I don't see it. Huge salary and misses a significant amount of games every year. On top of that he sucked badly last season.

LaVine hijacks the offense while Lauri complements it. Also, Lauri is a better defender (an admittedly low bar). After his current contract is up, I'm not sure LaVine starts again in the NBA, while I'm confident Lauri starts on most teams. Lauri is overpaid and that'll lower his value, but that's really where the similarities end.

I meant tangible evidence that you can back up with stats like my example of huge salary and missed games. Here's my answer to your post, "I disagree"
. There's nothing to counter with anything other than my opinion. Also I doubt anyone is trading for Lauri because of his defense nor do I concede that there's much difference in their defense. He's 7ft and don't block shots nor is he that good of a rebounder The guy is in his 9th season and has never played 70 games a season in any season.

Lavine has 1 more year after this season. Lauri has 3, so I would be willing to place a large wager on who starts on their next contract.

Post #12 » by **jbk1234** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 9:22 pm

kristov wrote:
jbk1234 wrote:
kristov wrote:Explain the reasons why Lauri has more value than Lavine had last season cause I don't see it. Huge salary and misses a significant amount of games every year. On top of that he sucked badly last season.

LaVine hijacks the offense while Lauri complements it. Also, Lauri is a better defender (an admittedly low bar). After his current contract is up, I'm not sure LaVine starts again in the NBA, while I'm confident Lauri starts on most teams. Lauri is overpaid and that'll lower his value, but that's really where the similarities end.

I meant tangible evidence that you can back up with stats like my example of huge salary and missed games. Here's my answer to your post, "I disagree"
. There's nothing to counter with anything other than my opinion. Also I doubt anyone is trading for Lauri because of his defense nor do I concede that there's much difference in their defense. He's 7ft and don't block shots nor is he that good of a rebounder The guy is in his 9th season and has never played 70 games a season in any season.

Lavine has 1 more year after this season. Lauri has 3, so I would be willing to place a large wager on who starts on their next contract.

Lauri has a career +3.9 on/off. Lavine has a -3.1 on/off over the course of his career. Is that tangible enough for you?

One_and_Done · Post #13 » by **One_and_Done** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 9:51 pm

The Spurs aren't likely to trade that much. On his current contract it's arguable if Lauri has positive value. I could see them moving Fox for Lauri down the road if things aren't working with him, but Lauri is likely gone by then.

That Heat deal looks pricey too given Rozier's contract will likely get wiped off the books.

ProcessDoctor · Post #14 » by **ProcessDoctor** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 9:55 pm

I would want him on the Sixers, but don't know how.

babyjax13 wrote:.

Help lol

babyjax13 · Post #15 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 10:27 pm

ProcessDoctor wrote:I would want him on the Sixers, but don't know how.

babyjax13 wrote:.
Help lol

Essengue? Or Lauri? I think Philly could get either.

bkohler · Post #16 » by **bkohler** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 10:38 pm

Mavrelous wrote:Tobias + Ausar + filler

Done. Call it in.

guldakot · Post #17 » by **guldakot** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 10:49 pm

bkohler wrote:
Mavrelous wrote:Tobias + Ausar + filler

Done. Call it in.

Dont like it from the Detroit side. I could see Tobias Sasser and picks, but even Tobias Ivey , but moving Ausar or Ron for Lauri would be a mistake.

HadAnEffectHere · Post #18 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 11:00 pm

Ausar for Lauri is weird because I think both sides say no. It's not wise for Detroit to go all-in right now and the Jazz hate non-shooters.

I would say Ausar has a decent bit more value than Lauri as of now as well.

ProcessDoctor · Post #19 » by **ProcessDoctor** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 11:09 pm

babyjax13 wrote:
ProcessDoctor wrote:I would want him on the Sixers, but don't know how.

babyjax13 wrote:.
Help lol

Essengue? Or Lauri? I think Philly could get either.

Lauri

HadAnEffectHere · Post #20 » by **HadAnEffectHere** » Sat Oct 25, 2025 11:21 pm

Markkanen for Embiid + McCain + picks if Embiid's career is over is like... I don't know, it's a depressing situation all around.