A 3-Team Trade to Move Lauri Markkanen During NBA Free Agency

As always, before we break down why each individual team might be interested in this deal, let’s look at the entire framework from a macro level.

Thunder Receive: Lauri Markkanen and a 2028 second-round pick from the Spurs

Thunder Lose: Luguentz Dort, swap rights to the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick, a 2026 first-round pick (via Clippers), a 2028 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick (via Golden State) and a 2028 second-round pick (via Utah)

Spurs Receive: Luguentz Dort and Walker Kessler

Spurs Lose: Zach Collins, a 2026 first-round pick, a 2027 first-round pick swap and a 2028 second-round pick (via Minnesota)

Jazz Receive: Zach Collins, swap rights to the Los Angeles Clippers’ 2025 first-round pick, a 2025 first-round pick from OKC, a 2026 first-round pick from OKC (via L.A.), a 2028 first-round pick from OKC, a 2026 second-round pick from OKC (via Golden State), a 2028 second-round pick from OKC (via Utah), a 2026 first-round pick from San Antonio and a 2027 first-round pick swap from San Antonio

Jazz Lose: Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler

There’s a lot to take in there. Feel free to quibble over some of the picks involved, protections, etc. The point, as always, is the core of the deal.

After you read the explanations, you’ll understand why this makes sense for each team.