There are just a few weeks remaining in 2023, and a change in the calendar means the NBA trade deadline isn’t far off. This season’s deadline is less than two months away on Thursday, Feb. 8, and as some teams fall out of contention, more quality players could become available—for the right price.
Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen could be one of them.
According to a new report by Yahoo Sports, Utah intends to hang onto the 2023 Most Improved Player and All-Star selection. However, if a team was to blow the Jazz (8–16) away with an offer, he would not be considered “untouchable.”
“Do I expect Utah to trade Lauri? No,” an unnamed general manager told Yahoo. “But they are saying they’re willing to listen. They are willing to listen to calls on everyone, but it’s a matter of meeting their price like Minnesota did for Rudy [Gobert].”
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Gobert famously fetched a massive haul for the Jazz in a deal with the Timberwolves, including a slew of players, four first-round picks and an additional pick swap. It would be tough for any team to turn down that level of return, even for a promising young star like Markkanen.
The seven-footer from Finland, a former No. 7 pick by the Bulls, has broken out with the Jazz. During the 2022–23 season, he averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game, shooting 49.9% from the field and 39.1% from three. He’s turning in similar numbers this season, averaging 23.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game.
