The Los Angeles Lakers have recovered from a 3-5 start to go 12-7 in the 19 games since.
They have struggled away from Crypto Currency Arena, losing three of their last four games, two of which were on the road. Los Angeles is 5-9 on the road this season, having lost their lone home game 114-109 to the New York Knicks on December 18th, sandwiched between two three-game road trips.
With decreasing final scores in each of their last four games, this current stretch may have revealed their need for greater firepower. Injuries played a role. But it may be all the more reason for them to bolster their talent wherever possible.
Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz could be an attractive trade target.
Lakers get:
– Lauri Markkanen
– Kris Dunn
Jazz get:
– Gabe Vincent
– Jalen Hood-Schifino
– 2029 first-round pick
– 2030 first-round pick swap
Including Dunn might be overkill. However, he would help compensate for the loss of Vincent and rookie first-round pick Hood-Schfino, neither of whom has made much of an impact this season.
For a cleaner positional change, Los Angeles might bring in Rui Hachimura for Vincent (or Christian Wood or Taurean Prince for Hood-Schifino).
This move has the potential to maximize Anthony Davis’s value by letting him to focus on his best strength, defense, while partnering him with a constant offensive threat in the frontcourt.
Markkanen, 26, averages 23.2 points on 62.8% true shooting, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game. He also makes 38.4% of his 8.1 three-point attempts per game, which would place him third and first on the Lakers.
He is in the third year of a four-year contract worth $67.5 million. The contract only guarantees $6 million of the $18 million promised to him next season.
The reigning Most Improved Player of the Year is Markkanen.
Dunn, 29, is averaging 4.7 points per game and shooting 36.4% from outside the arc. He’d offer tough defense to the Lakers’ backcourt, though consistency has always been a concern for him. He does, however, have a relationship with Markkanen that dates back to their time together with the Chicago Bulls.
Above all, Markannen may be available.
Lakers Could Try Poaching Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen
“Lauri Markkanen has indeed emerged as a fascinating, albeit unlikely trade candidate before February’s buzzer,” wrote Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer on December 15. “At this point, the Jazz are not anticipated to move the 7-foot sharpshooter. However, Utah has given opposing executives the impression that Markkanen is no longer untouchable.”
At last year’s deadline, the Jazz and Lakers collaborated on a three-team deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
During Markkanen’s breakout season, Utah appeared to be a contender.
They are 10-17 this season and are ranked 12th in the Western Conference. If the regular season ended today, they would not even be eligible for the Play-In Tournament. Perhaps that fact will push them to sell Markkanen, albeit he won’t be cheap.
The 2022-23 Kia NBA Most Improved Player Lauri Markkanen's #KiaMIP mixtape!@Kia pic.twitter.com/f2HklgNhUY
— NBA (@NBA) April 25, 2023
Insider Speculates on Jazz’s Asking Price for Lauri Markkanen Trade
“My impression from talking to teams is that it’s something resembling the haul the Jazz received for Mitchell and Gobert: so, five-ish firsts and/or players of comparable value,” The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor wrote on December 18. “This is a big deal for Markkanen… But his qualities appear to be a good fit for almost any scenario you can think of:”
say hello to our (not so) little friend 👀🇫🇮💥#TakeNote | @Markkanenlauri pic.twitter.com/3aoZIXkkpu
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) December 14, 2023
The Atlanta Hawks, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Sacramento Kings are among the alleged trade suitors for Markkanen, according to Fischer.
A bidding war would simply raise Markkanen’s already costly price, which the Lakers may be unable to afford.
Those other teams, for the most part, would be able to provide greater immediate rewards with their pick compensation than the Lakers. The Lakers, being the oldest of the four, could try to sell the Jazz on their roster. There is uncertainty ahead, which might make their selections the finest of the group.
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