NBA Rumors: Lauri Markkanen Trade Talks, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Kuzma, Lakers, Knicks, 76ers

With Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen eligible to renegotiate and extend his contract in August, Utah executives Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik have received a bevy of interest from teams around the league looking to acquire the star forward. 

The leaguewide belief is that the Jazz would only consider moving Markkanen for a sizable trade package similar to what the Knicks gave up to acquire Mikal Bridges – a player Utah tried to acquire and pair with Markkanen. For context, New York overwhelmed the market for Bridges, who has two years on his contract, by agreeing to trade four unprotected first-round picks, an unprotected pick swap, and a protected first-round pick. Markkanen is owed $18 million this season in the final year of his contract.

Utah has inquired about stars that have become available over the years, including Damian Lillard in the past, according to league sources. 

This is a perceived needle-moving point for Utah in the eyes of executives around the league. Over the next year or so, opposing executives believe the Jazz will either find another star to pair with Markkanen and attempt to compete at a higher level or trade Markkanen while his value is at its highest and retool the roster in an attempt for future long-term sustainable success. 

The Warriors, Kings, Spurs, Timberwolves, and Pelicans are among the teams who’ve expressed interest in trading for Markkanen, league sources told HoopsHype. 

Golden State owns its first-round picks from 2025 through 2029 and in 2030 if the pick lands in the 1-20 range. Jonathan Kuminga is considered the team’s top young trade asset. Yet, the Warriors ideally don’t want to part with him unless it’s for an All-NBA player, as previously reported by HoopsHype.

Sacramento has shopped Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes, and future draft picks in the years to come across the league looking to upgrade the roster. Utah, however, would likely covet rising young forward Keegan Murray, who Sacramento has identified as a core piece of the future. The Kings have their 2025 first-round pick protected 1-12, their 2026 first-round pick protected 1-10, and their first-round picks from 2027 through 2030. 

San Antonio has its first-round picks from 2025 through 2030, Atlanta’s first-round picks in 2025 and 2027 with the right to swap picks in 2026, and other picks from Charlotte and Chicago, young assets in Devin Vassell (though he’s viewed as a core piece), Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan, to dangle. 

Minnesota is a tougher trade partner unless the Timberwolves are theoretically willing to move Karl-Anthony Towns or Jaden McDaniels in a package for Markkanen. The Timberwolves also own their first-round picks in 2028 and 2030. By all accounts, however, Minnesota appears willing to bring the team’s core back and will try to make another deep playoff run this season. 

New Orleans has gauged the trade market on forward Brandon Ingram, including recent exploratory interest from the Sacramento Kings, as recently reported by HoopsHype. The Pelicans have other desirable young assets in forwards Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones. However, the team has been reluctant to part with Murphy III and Jones in trade talks with teams to this point. New Orleans also can dangle its future first-round picks in 2025 through 2030.