An NBA trade idea sending Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz to the Philadelphia 76ers has been created.
NBA writer Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report created the following trade idea between the Jazz and Sixers:
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz receive: Paul George, a 2028 first-round pick (via LAC), a 2028 second-round pick (via GSW) and a 2030 second-round pick (via WAS)
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.
This blockbuster NBA trade idea would pair Markkanen with Sixers stars Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
“Markkanen’s size and movement as a shooter might be even better fits with Philly’s stars than George’s on-and-off-ball utility,” Buckley wrote. “If nothing else, Markkanen is a more natural and comfortable 4, which could be massive when Philly needs to carve out major minutes at the 1-through-3 spots for Maxey, Jared McCain, VJ Edgecombe, Kelly Oubre Jr. and a hopefully re-signed Quentin Grimes.
“With any kind of good fortune on the health front, a big three built around Embiid, Maxey and Markkanen should be a contender in this season’s watered-down East. And while that’s probably true with George, too, Markkanen would give Philly a longer runway and relieve some of the win-right-now pressure on its current core.”
Markkanen, 28, will make $46.4 million in 2025-26. He has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz, compiling averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks.
The Sixers were a walking disaster last season. They won only 24 games and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Meanwhile, the Jazz had the worst record in the NBA last season. They went 17-65.