Perfect Lauri Markkanen trade Thunder must offer Jaz

If the Thunder want to trade for Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, they have to be willing to pay.

This season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have performed incredibly well. With a 16-8 record, Oklahoma City is ranked second in the Western Conference. To improve their chances of making the playoffs, the Thunder still need a few pieces.

 

The Thunder pose a threat to any center on the trade market because they have a sizable amount of draft capital at their disposal.

The team’s leader, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was named to the All-NBA First Team the previous season. He’s averaging 30.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 2.7 steals so far this season. He is making 34.4 percent of his three-pointers and 54.2 percent of his field goals.

 

Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren have also grown to be important components of Oklahoma City’s downtown. Josh Giddey would have been a part of this core, but the accusations cast doubt on his future. Returning to Holmgren, he is enjoying an incredible rookie season.

In a game, the 21-year-old center scores 16.9 points, grabs 8.1 rebounds, dishes out 2.4 assists, and blocks 2.7. Holmgren is making 36.7 percent of his three-pointers and 52.2 percent of his field goals.

 

In his second season, Williams is likewise enjoying a fantastic campaign. The 22-year-old forward is shooting 35.6% from outside the arc and 50 percent from the field, good for an average of 17.5 points, four rebounds, and 3.6 assists.

 

Gilgeous-Alexander’s play has been improved by Williams and Holmgren performing at a high level. With a trade at the deadline, they now have an opportunity to move up to contending teams.

 

That being stated, this is the ideal trade for Lauri Markkanen that the Thunder should propose to the Jazz.

Thunder land Markkanen

Jazz receive: Davis Bertans, Tre Mann, a 2024 first-round pick via Houston (protected 1-4), a 2025 first-round pick via Miami (protected 1-14), a 2025 first-round pick via Philadelphia (protected 1-6), and a 2028 first-pick via Oklahoma City (unprotected)

Thunder receive: Lauri Markkanen

Markkanen is an All-Star forward who has the potential to significantly impact Oklahoma City. Davis Bertans’ salary in

this trade would be equal to Markkanen’s, and Utah might find Tre

Mann to be a promising young talent. Nonetheless, the draft picks would be of

great worth to them. The Thunder have an abundance of first-round picks, but

it’s crucial to keep some of their best picks out of the mix.

The Rockets’ top four-protected first-round pick this season and their unprotected first-round pick in 2028

would be forfeited in this transaction, along with two valuable first-round

picks. Together with the Heat’s 2025 protected selection and the 76ers’ 2025

protected pick, they are also sending out two less valuable first picks.

 

While obtaining an All-Star, Oklahoma City is able to retain more valuable draft choices in the future. In order to stay

competitive, this also enables them to hang onto their most gifted players.

Williams, Markkanen, Holmgren, Lu Dort, Gilgeous-Alexander, and Williams

would be the Thunder’s new starting lineup. This improves their roster

significantly and will benefit the team whether Giddey is punished or not.

With an impressive season average of 23.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and one steal per game, Markkanen is

dominating the league. The 26-year-old forward is shooting 39 percent from

three-point range and an effective 48.9 percent from the field.

 

His addition would strengthen their offense, which is already among the best in the league and sits fifth in scoring.

Even if Markkanen isn’t a great defender, Gilgeous-Alexander and Markkanen

would be surrounded by elite defenders like Dort, Williams, and Holmgren of

Oklahoma City, which is ranked sixth in defensive rating.

 

Markkanen fits the Thunder’s timeframe perfectly and has a fair deal. In exchange for Markkanen, Oklahoma City get a win-

now player and Utah receives the draft capital they are seeking because

Oklahoma City has an excess of draft capital to make this transaction possible.