Lakers News: Appalling Trade Package for Potential Star Target Revealed https://t.co/ViEpvdB3ok
— LakerTom (@LakerTom) May 8, 2024
The Los Angeles Lakers will do their best to acquire a third star to pair alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James this summer. The front office has plenty of assets to make a trade, but it takes two to tango.
The Lakers have enough, but it will be up to the other team to cooperate and complete a deal. The purple and gold are rumored to acquire a handful of star players, including Utah Jazz All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen.
Markkanen could be a prime candidate for the Lakes this summer; however, the price may be overboard. According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, the price for Markkanen could be ‘something like four or five first-round picks.’
“In a big picture, Markkanen’s value to the Jazz is so great that it’s going to take an offer that is probably not going to come to pry him from the Jazz,” Jones writes. “Something like four or five first-round picks, and a star-level talent coming over. Markkanen is a 7-footer who shoots 40 percent from 3-point range on volume.”
Potentially giving up four or five first-round picks for a one-time All-Star may be too much to handle for teams who want Markkanen’s services, even for the Lakers. While Markkanen is a great player who embodies today’s NBA style of play, you’ll only be guaranteed his services for two seasons. The 26-year-old is set to be an unrestricted free agent after the 2025-26 season.
Markkanen could fit in perfectly alongside James and Davis. He is a stretch four who is a willing defender and can add a scoring punch to the squad. The former 2017 lottery pick averaged 23.2 points per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 40 percent from the three-point line, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists.
The Finland native won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year award and has made a name for himself in Salt Lake City. If he becomes available in the trade market, expect the Lakers to vie for his skillset.
There is no player out there who would be a better fit next to LeBron and AD than Lauri. Lakers should give up their picks and swaps to land him. Only cost $17M in matching salaries. Lakers would still have deep bench and MLE to use. This s/b #1move.
My lord, it’s like the 3 point chucker Tom built in a lab. Doubt Ainge woud move him to the Lakers.
Why would Utah move him? Only reason I can think of are issues with his durability, hasn’t played in than 68 games ever and only crossed the 60 threshold 3 times. His deal is only partially guaranteed next season, to boot. Ainge ain’t moving that chip for that pittance, not in any dimension of reality.
Utah can wait, as well. They’re in no rush for our desperation heave. That deal will be on the table all season long and Utah can say “cool bro, we’re going to wait and see but thanks for giving us leverage in other deals Rob!”
Lakers need to see what they can get back for Rui and 2 1st rounders, maybe not even that much, and not utterly forsake the future. Young bloods tearing up the league now and old players ain’t making it out of the 1st round. THAT’S what’s happening in the league today.
Multiple draft picks and he’s really too old for the rebuild they need. Cash in now to avoid losing him for nothing or tying up a player to big money before the rest of the roster is ready.
Won’t lose him for nothing, they can just move him next March.
Also he’s 2 freaking 6, that’s not old.
I’d love to get him on the squad but feel it’s highly unlikely
I would watch out for OKC here. Their biggest weakness is size. They have more draft picks than they will ever be able to use. Some young prospects to send as well. He would be perfect for them.