The Spurs’ interest in Lauri Markkanen makes sense, but there are roadblocks to a deal
For the better part of three years since the Spurs’ teardown and rebuild began, general manager Brian Wright and his front office team have been hoarding future draft picks, awaiting the opportunity to add a marquee veteran to the project.
The godsend of Victor Wembanyama’s arrival last June did nothing to change that aim.
Less than a week into this summer’s NBA free agency period, the Spurs’ long-held dreams of swinging a blockbuster trade to turbocharge their reconstruction efforts could be approaching a big Finnish.
The Spurs are among a handful of teams who have reached out to the Utah Jazz about the availability of sharpshooting big man Lauri Markkanen, a 27-year-old All-Star whose contract is up next summer.
In terms of being “strategically aggressive,” as Wright has described the Spurs’ approach to roster building, the team could do worse than Finland’s finest.
The 7-foot Markkanen averaged 24.5 points and 8.4 rebounds in his past two seasons with the Jazz after a forgettable start to his career in Chicago and Cleveland. In addition, Markkanen shot nearly 40% from 3-point range last season.
There is an obvious reason the Spurs would be interested in trading for Markkanen. He seems lab-created to fit in lineups next to Wembanyama.
It is unclear exactly how available Markkanen really is. That is the first rub.
Utah’s own rebuilding project appears at a crossroads.
The Jazz could be buyers this summer and seek another star to pair with Markkanen. Or they could be sellers, looking to get out of the Markkanen business before he is due a hefty contract extension next offseason.
In that case, the Jazz would no doubt be in the market for assets that would help them build for the future. That’s where the Spurs could come in.
According to various league-wide reports, Sacramento, Golden State, New Orleans and Minnesota have also registered interest in exploring a trade for Markkanen.
None of those teams could compete with the Spurs’ war chest of future first-round draft picks, which could make them an attractive trading partner for the Jazz.
Thanks to a bevy of trades beginning with the 2021 sign-and-trade of DeMar DeRozan to Chicago, the Spurs have stockpiled 11 first-round picks between now and 2031, plus four pick-swap opportunities.
The Spurs have also amassed 20 second-round picks in that frame, though those might not move the needle much in exchange for a player of Markkanen’s caliber.
If young players are needed to sweeten the pot for the Jazz, the Spurs have a handful of attractive targets in Keldon Johnson, Jeremy Sochan or, perhaps, Devin Vassell.
The Spurs’ interest in Markkanen is not new.
They inquired about Markkanen’s availability in negotiating that the DeRozan trade with the Bulls in 2021, only to be rebuffed. Chicago instead sent Markkanen to Cleveland as part of a different deal.
If the Jazz decide to make Markkanen available, the biggest remaining hurdle for the Spurs could be price tag.
Utah executive Danny Ainge has burnished a well-earned reputation for driving a hard bargain, dating to his time in Boston.
When it comes to Markkanen, many NBA observers believe Ainge is after a package rivaling what New York surrendered for Mikal Bridges last week.
In that deal, the Knicks sent five first-round picks to Brooklyn for a player who, though solid enough, has never sniffed an All-Star nod.
If the Jazz require a Bridges-like haul for Markkanen, that could be, well, a bridge too far for the Spurs.
In addition, any team that trades for Markkanen now would want assurances he would re-sign when his contract expires. Unlike with All-Star point guard Chris Paul — who agreed to a one-year, $11-million free-agent deal to join the Spurs this week — the club does not view Markkanen as a single-season rental.
If no deal for Markkanen can be reached, expect the Spurs to continue to look for incremental ways to improve the roster throughout what is left of free agency.
It is no secret the Spurs are in the market to upgrade their perimeter shooting, with sharpshooters such as Buddy Hield, Gary Trent Jr., Malik Beasley and Gary Harris remaining on the market.
Markkanen, of course, would fill that need as well.
Time will tell if the Spurs have what it takes to get a deal for Markkanen across the Finnish line.
News
Kerry Washington Leads All-Star Cast in First Teaser for Tyler Perry’s WWII Drama, ‘The Six Triple Eight’
Netflix has officially announced the release schedule for Tyler Perry’s highly anticipated WWII drama, The Six Triple Eight, starring Emmy winner Kerry Washington. The film will premiere in select theaters on December 6, followed by a global release on the…
Jasson Dominguez’s lightning-quick triple reminds us how much he could impact Yankees
Milwaukee Brewers v New York Yankees / Rich Schultz/GettyImages Here’s your friendly mid-week reminder that New York Yankees outfielder Jasson Dominguez isn’t your typical power-only physical freak. Like the hulking Spencer Jones, he also has a sprinting side. Yes, we…
Social Media Detectives Are Just Now Uncovering A Clue That Juju Smith-Schuster Was Trying To Tell Everyone He Was Joining The Kansas City Chiefs 3 Weeks Ago While Still With The Patriots
JuJu-Smith Schuster (Photo via New England Patriots/YouTube) Observant social media detectives uncovered compelling evidence indicating that JuJu Smith-Schuster knew well in advance that he was Kansas City-bound. While he was still with the New England Patriots, no less. The Patriots released JuJu Smith-Schuster on Aug….
Everyone Noticed Something Strange About Photo Of Saints QB Derek Carr Signing Autographs For Fans
Derek Carr (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) NFL fans noticed something interesting about Derek Carr and New Orleans Saints fans while he was signing autographs for them. Derek Carr is entering the second season of a lucrative four-year, $150 million contract he signed with New Orleans…
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Offers Firm Statement On His Political Beliefs After Wife Brittany Publicly Endorsed Donald Trump
Patrick and Brittany Mahomes and Donald Trump (Photos via Getty Images) Folks expecting a political endorsement by Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes better not get their hopes up. Patrick Mahomes’ wife, Brittany, made headlines last week when fans noticed she “liked”…
VIDEO: Connor Stalions Exposes Former Michigan Head Coach Jim Harbaugh For A Gift He Gave Him For His Sign-Stealing Performance After A Big Game
Connor Stalions and Jim Harbaugh (Photos via UnnecRoughness/Instagram) Connor Stalions was the focal point of a Netflix documentary, “Untold: Sign Stealer,” which was released on Netflix. It appears Connor Stalions had a big hand in the Michigan Wolverines’ 2022 win…
End of content
No more pages to load