Last Wednesday, The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie reported that the Los Angeles Lakers‘ first-round pick “is another one many believe is ready to be moved as the Lakers explore the trade market for immediate upgrades around LeBron James and “Anthony Davis.” That pick currently sits at 17th overall.
Last Tuesday, Heavy’s Sean Deveney reported that an NBA general manager called Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen a “dream target” for the Lakers.
“There are some teams that, when you look at it, he’s going to be their dream target,” the general manager said. “The Lakers get a guy like him with Anthony Davis, and that’s perfect for both of them. The Knicks would love to get him. The Heat, again, put him with Bam (Adebayo) and that’s the pairing you want.” To build, you can send Jimmy (Butler) wherever he wants.
“Just the aspect of the space between the floors is very valuable. It could make things easier for your stars.”
Let’s put the two reports together: Markkanen would be a solid fit in Los Angeles, and the Lakers should consider packaging that No. 17 overall pick (along with other assets) to acquire him.
Markkanen, 27, averaged just 23.2 points on 48.0 percent shooting (39.9 percent on three-pointers) and 8.2 rebounds last season. The year before, Markkanen earned his first All-Star Game appearance and earned Most Improved Player honors.
Obviously, he is a prized player. But he also has only one year left on his $18 million contract, and the Jazz can’t afford to lose him for nothing. Plus, he’s on a rebuilding team that needs future assets.
As to whether Jazz executive director of basketball operations and alternate governor Danny Ainge would listen, one Western Conference executive believes so.
“They will listen,” the executive told Deveney. “They always listen. Danny’s reputation is exaggerated. He wants a championship team, he wants to do what Sam Presti has done in Oklahoma City. He knows there is still a long way to go. They will be tough and the price will be high. but that’s the way it has to be “
The price, obviously, won’t just be the 17th overall pick.
Lakers Nation’s Trevor Lane wondered what a trade for a third star would look like if it included the No. 17 pick in a May 11 video (4:10 mark).
“You take (2029 first rounder), you take (2031 first rounder), you add some salary, we’re talking Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Austin Reaves… maybe (D’Angelo Russell) if he picks his player option, although I don’t expect him to, Gabe Vincent, whoever is under contract, attaches those salaries to the picks and trades them for a third star.”
Lane later added: “Maybe it’s Trae Young, maybe it’s Dejounte Murray, maybe it’s Donovan Mitchell, maybe it’s Lauri Markkanen. We don’t know. That will all be a little clearer as we get closer to the night of the Draft in June.”
Ultimately, the Lakers obviously need to turn things around around LeBron James and Anthony Davis and take advantage of that window while they can. James is a timeless wonder and continues to dominate as he approaches his 40th birthday in December. Davis just made an All-NBA team for the first time since 2020.
The Lakers can add more depth and hope for the best. Or they can look for that third star to help them, especially if one of them is lost due to injury during the season. Markkanen is ultimately a solid option to consider, given his size, scoring ability, and age. He could also demand less in a trade than bigger names like Donovan Mitchell and Trae Young should they become available in a deal.
We’ll see if the Lakers use that 17th pick on a deal soon enough, with the draft beginning June 26.
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