Sixers Linked With Potential Trade Talks For Kevin Durant, Lauri Markkanen

[RealGM Wiretap]

The Philadelphia 76ers have been linked with Kevin Durant and Lauri Markkanen in potential trade conversations involving the No. 3 overall pick. The Sixers could look to package Paul George with the pick as they attempt to bounce back from a disappointing 24-25 season.

George averaged just 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.3 assists in his first season with the Sixers after signing a four-year, $212 million deal during the 2024 offseason.

Durant is widely expected to be traded by the Phoenix Suns this offseason ahead of a potential 2026 free agency.

Markkanen becomes trade eligible again this offseason after signing a four-year, $22 million extension with the Utah Jazz last August.

Via Jonathan Givony/ESPN

[elmdawgg69]

Utah only does this if Philly attaches another unprotected FRP in 2026 or 2027 and a pick swap. George makes no sense on the Jazz.

[hyberx]

Warriors dodged a bullet with PG13. Thanks Clippers!

[the_process]

Utah only does this if Philly attaches another unprotected FRP in 2026 or 2027 and a pick swap. George makes no sense on the Jazz.

Are we pretending Lauri isn't also negative value currently?

3/PG/27 swap for Lauri/5 is a good trade for both sides. And I'd bet Utah would be able to flip PG for a profit next summer to boot.

[PurpleGreenGold]

Utah only does this if Philly attaches another unprotected FRP in 2026 or 2027 and a pick swap. George makes no sense on the Jazz.

Are we pretending Lauri isn't also negative value currently?

3/PG/27 swap for Lauri/5 is a good trade for both sides. And I'd bet Utah would be able to flip PG for a profit next summer to boot.

Philly can remove 27 swap, Jazz keep 3 and add 21

[the_process]

Utah only does this if Philly attaches another unprotected FRP in 2026 or 2027 and a pick swap. George makes no sense on the Jazz.

Are we pretending Lauri isn't also negative value currently?

3/PG/27 swap for Lauri/5 is a good trade for both sides. And I'd bet Utah would be able to flip PG for a profit next summer to boot.

Philly can remove 27 swap, Jazz keep 3 and add 21

That's not enough from Utah's end.

[PurpleGreenGold]

Are we pretending Lauri isn't also negative value currently?

3/PG/27 swap for Lauri/5 is a good trade for both sides. And I'd bet Utah would be able to flip PG for a profit next summer to boot.

Philly can remove 27 swap, Jazz keep 3 and add 21

That's not enough from Utah's end.

Fair enough, it’s a little light. Jazz throw in this year’s #43, and 2027 Lakers first.

[pushfloater]

Can they get anything for Joel too??

[alienpick]

Wow, Paul George didn't pan out? Who woulda thunk it?

[MitchB3]

Utah only does this if Philly attaches another unprotected FRP in 2026 or 2027 and a pick swap. George makes no sense on the Jazz.

Are we pretending Lauri isn't also negative value currently?

3/PG/27 swap for Lauri/5 is a good trade for both sides. And I'd bet Utah would be able to flip PG for a profit next summer to boot.

How is he a "negative value"? He's better than Pandemic P, and will most likely play more games than Embiid, so how is he a negative value?

[MitchB3]

Morey tryna throw Hail Marys at this point. KD doesn't solve their problems, and doesn't get you past the 2nd round... What needs to be done here is move off Embiid and Pandemic P. They got the 3rd pick, use it to draft the best available player, and go from there.

[MitchB3]

Wow, Paul George didn't pan out? Who woulda thunk it?

All 29 other teams thought he wouldn't, but there's always that ONE GM who thinks differently.

[the_process]

Utah only does this if Philly attaches another unprotected FRP in 2026 or 2027 and a pick swap. George makes no sense on the Jazz.

Are we pretending Lauri isn't also negative value currently?

3/PG/27 swap for Lauri/5 is a good trade for both sides. And I'd bet Utah would be able to flip PG for a profit next summer to boot.

How is he a "negative value"? He's better than Pandemic P, and will most likely play more games than Embiid, so how is he a negative value?

Because he is owed almost 200M over then next 4 years and was decidedly bad this past year?

Lauri also misses a ton of games in case you missed that.

The mitigating factor is the Jazz were blatantly tanking from the jump.

Of course, I could make the same argument for why PG wasn't very good this past season.

I'm not saying the Sixers shouldn't add a little something to PG/3 for Lauri/5. I'm saying that is much, much closer to value than PG/3 for Lauri/21. That is way off, and a future Laker pick and 2nds doesn't make it up.

[TheCage4]

I'd love to see KD sitting next to fellow injured "stars" Embiid and George.

[Cookin Baskets]

Why would the 76ers want Durant & why would Durant want to play on the 76ers given they are no good without Embiid being healthy.

Getting rid of Paul George isn't a bad idea, but to also give up our #3 pick so we can get rid of George seems short sighted. I'd rather figure out another way to get rid of George without giving up our pick.

[Inigo Montoya]

As a Jazz fan I'd much rather stay at #5 and pick whomever drops there. I don't see the point in trading Markkanen to move up 2 spots if it doesn't net them Flagg or Harper.

Now, if the trade involved Markkanen + #21 for George + #3, or something to that effect, then maybe.

[MitchB3]

Are we pretending Lauri isn't also negative value currently?

3/PG/27 swap for Lauri/5 is a good trade for both sides. And I'd bet Utah would be able to flip PG for a profit next summer to boot.

How is he a "negative value"? He's better than Pandemic P, and will most likely play more games than Embiid, so how is he a negative value?

Because he is owed almost 200M over then next 4 years and was decidedly bad this past year?

Lauri also misses a ton of games in case you missed that.

The mitigating factor is the Jazz were blatantly tanking from the jump.

Of course, I could make the same argument for why PG wasn't very good this past season.

I'm not saying the Sixers shouldn't add a little something to PG/3 for Lauri/5. I'm saying that is much, much closer to value than PG/3 for Lauri/21. That is way off, and a future Laker pick and 2nds doesn't make it up.

I'd rather pay Lauri what he's owed over the next four years than pay Pandemic P, who's pretty much on a decline.

When you say "missing games," do you mean the Jazz faking injuries the last two seasons to tank and try and get a top-10 draft pick, or did he actually get injured?

[the_process]

How is he a "negative value"? He's better than Pandemic P, and will most likely play more games than Embiid, so how is he a negative value?

Because he is owed almost 200M over then next 4 years and was decidedly bad this past year?

Lauri also misses a ton of games in case you missed that.

The mitigating factor is the Jazz were blatantly tanking from the jump.

Of course, I could make the same argument for why PG wasn't very good this past season.

I'm not saying the Sixers shouldn't add a little something to PG/3 for Lauri/5. I'm saying that is much, much closer to value than PG/3 for Lauri/21. That is way off, and a future Laker pick and 2nds doesn't make it up.

I'd rather pay Lauri what he's owed over the next four years than pay Pandemic P, who's pretty much on a decline.

When you say "missing games," do you mean the Jazz faking injuries the last two seasons to tank and try and get a top-10 draft pick, or did he actually get injured?

You can't hand wave it all away for Lauri, but at the same time say George is obviously done.

Utah wants to stand pat and take whoever's left at 5. Very good.