An NBA trade idea sending Lauri Markkanen, Georges Niang and Kyle Filipowski from the Utah Jazz to the Miami Heat has been created.
NBA writer Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Jazz and Heat:
Miami Heat receive: Lauri Markkanen, Georges Niang and Kyle Filipowski
Utah Jazz receive: Andrew Wiggins, Nikola Jović, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rozier, a 2029 first-round pick (top-three protected) and a 2030 first-round pick swap
Markkanen is one of the best players in the NBA. He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks for the Jazz last season in 47 games while shooting 42.3% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line.
This blockbuster NBA trade idea would pair Markkanen with Heat All-Stars Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. Miami needs more talent after getting swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the 2025 playoffs.
Markkanen, 28, will make $46.4 million next season. He has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cavaliers and Jazz, compiling averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks.
A one-time All-Star, Markkanen is better suited to play for a winning franchise. The Jazz are still rebuilding and will likely miss the playoffs again in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Heat are in win-now mode and could make some serious noise in the East next season with Markkanen in the fold next to Herro and Adebayo.
“Miami probably wouldn’t be considered the favorite to conquer the East entering the campaign, but the Heat would have enough star power, depth and upward mobility to put them firmly in the hunt,” Buckley wrote. “This could be a truly transformative trade, which isn’t otherwise easily brokered with the draft cost being only a protected future first and a future first-round swap.”
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra could start Herro, Norman Powell, Markkanen, Adebayo and Kel’el Ware. That’s a dangerous-looking starting lineup on paper.