Some NBA players just need the right team to figure themselves out. Lauri Markkanen is a perfect example of this because he never quite found his footing until the Utah Jazz made him their guy in his seventh NBA season. One player who's followed in Markkanen's footsteps is Michael Porter Jr., who has not only broken out in Brooklyn but is also perhaps the biggest name on the trade market.
If the Nets pull the trigger on a Porter trade, that could give the Jazz a good hint of what they would get in a Markkanen trade (even if everyone knows by now that, currently, a trade won't happen).
NBA Insider Jake Fischer delved into Porter's market yesterday, even name-dropping Markkanen in a previous conversation with an industry colleague.
"Why aren't people talking about Michael Porter Jr. for the Warriors?" he asked Fischer. "He's almost as good as Lauri Markkanen, but at half the cost."
That might be a bit of a stretch, as Porter has only just now started to play like a star compared to Markkanen, who has played at an unquestionable All-Star level in three of the last four seasons. However, Fischer also harped on Porter's undoubtedly impressive numbers.
"Pouring in a career-high 25.8 points per game, on top of career-bests in rebounds (7.5 RPG) and assists (3.3 APG) while absolutely sniping at better than 40% from long distance."
Porter is being paid like a star despite not playing like one with the Nuggets, which is why Denver had to cough up a pick to swap him for Cameron Johnson. However, because he's earning his keep, a trade could get the Nets, a team right in the midst of a rebuild, even more assets.
But how many is the question.
A Porter trade could set the bar for what the Jazz should expect for Markkanen
Fischer listed the Bucks, Bulls, Warriors, and Pistons (who have come up as a Markkanen destination) as potential Porter suitors. Those teams are either desperate to maintain relevance and/or want that extra oomph in their upcoming playoff push.
The Bucks are pretty much out of assets at this point, but the other three have plenty to offer. Their desperation will determine what they are willing to give up. How much the Nets could get in a Porter trade could determine what to expect for Markkanen. If the Nets don't get that much, that may show the Jazz Markkanen wouldn't get too much more, even if he has a better rap sheet than Porter.
It wouldn't necessarily be because of what Markkanen can and cannot do on the court, but more because the contracts he and Porter were rewarded are too expensive to justify big hauls. However, if it's the other way around, if Porter gets Brooklyn a good haul, that should tell Utah that Markkanen would sell for that much more.
Of course, a Markkanen trade is out of the question for the time being, but a Porter trade could signal what would be on the table if the Jazz go that route.