An NBA trade idea sending Lauri Markkanen to the Philadelphia 76ers and Paul George to the Utah Jazz has been created.
NBA writer Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Sixers and Jazz:
Philadelphia 76ers get: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz get: Paul George, 2028 first-round pick (via Los Angeles Clippers)
“Depending on how things go with George’s health, the Sixers could use this pick as a sweetener in a trade that exchanges his salary for a smaller one—or for a player with a better health outlook,” Hughes wrote. “Utah is hoarding other teams’ future firsts and might be amenable to snaring this one along with several smaller contracts in exchange for Markkanen. Though the Finnish forward has had his own struggles staying on the floor of late, his movement shooting and efficient scoring would make him a fascinating addition to the Joel Embiid–Tyrese Maxey combo.”
Markkanen is one of the top 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.
George was once one of the best players in the NBA. He only played in 41 games in his first season with the Sixers due to injuries. The small forward averaged 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 43.0% overall, 35.8% from 3 and 81.4% from the foul line.
Markkanen will make $46.4 million next season, while George will make $51.7 million. The former has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz and the latter has played for the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and Sixers.
The Jazz and Sixers missed the 2025 playoffs. Utah had the worst record in the NBA at 17-65. Philadelphia went 24-58 despite having George, Embiid and Maxey. The three All-Stars played in only 15 games together.