When the Utah Jazz approach the 2025 offseason, the biggest question going in will be, "What do they do with Lauri Markkanen?"
On the one hand, Markkanen has embraced Utah, which isn't always a guarantee when stars join the Jazz. On the other, there's no telling how long the Jazz will be rebuilding. Usually it takes years for teams to move past their rebuilding phase, and those are years Markkanen won't get back.
That's why the Jazz may have to take a good long look at their long-term plans, specifically with Markkanen. If they decide to capitalize on his value while they still can, Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus proposed a three-way trade between the Jazz, Phoenix Suns, and Houston Rockets that would get Markkanen out of Utah.
Pincus proposed the following swap.
Jazz get: Reed Sheppard, Jabari Smith Jr., Cam Whitmore, Aaron Holiday, Jeff Green, Jae'Sean Tate,
Higher 2025 first-rounder from the Timberwolves and Suns (via Rockets)
, $20.4 million Lauri Markkanen trade exception
Suns get: Markkanen, Jock Landale, Lower 2025 first-rounder from the Minnesota Timberwolves and Suns (via Rockets or Jazz)
Rockets get: Kevin Durant
Pincus explained why he believes the Jazz come away the victor in a deal where the two best players go to the other two trade partners.
"Ultimately, the Jazz are the winner here. The Suns may succeed with Markkanen, but their depth issues and sky-high payroll remain. Houston may have a more credible chance to compete immediately in the postseason by giving up on young talent. But the Jazz get out of one of the league’s larger contracts to give their youth movement an immediate boost," Pincus wrote.
But even if that's how Utah sees it like that, would they do this deal? There's legitimate arguments for why they should and why they shouldn't.
Why they shouldn't make this trade
In his proposal, Pincus mentions that this would lead to a roster glut, which can be remedied if the Jazz get rid of some of their players on non-guaranteed contracts. On that note, it'd be hard to see why they would keep Holiday, Tate, or old friend Green on the roster (Note: Green's a free agent this summer, so his inclusion would have to be a sign-and-trade).
However, there is such a thing as too much young talent. Smith, Whitmore, and Sheppard are all promising young players - though none of them project to be stars for now - but they will be added to a young core consisting of Walker Kessler, Isaiah Collier, Kyle Fillipowski, Keyonte George, Cody Williams, and Brice Sensabaugh.
The Jazz have other youngsters they will probably want to give some playing time to, like Jaden Springer and Micah Potter. Not to mention, they are in the thick of the "Capture the Flagg" sweepstakes. Oh yeah, and the Jazz's initial starting power forward, Taylor Hendricks, will be back next season.
Adding those three Rockets' youngsters gives the Jazz too much youth because they won't be able to play all of them the minutes they need to develop correctly. The Jazz already have a big infusion and will acquire more in the coming years.
Adding these three gives more than they should have.
Why they should make this trade
The one aspect of this trade that isn't emphasized is that the Jazz have the chance to weaken the Suns. That could pay off big time for them long-term, given that the Jazz own the Suns' 2031 unprotected first-round pick.
As good as Markkanen is at his peak, he'll never be as good as Durant, even if he's on the wrong side of 30. Durant is still among the best players in the NBA, so swapping him for Markkanen lowers the Suns' ceiling.
Because the Suns' season has been a complete disaster despite Durant's best efforts, Markkanen lowers their ceiling even more. Even if they desperately need a big man like him on the team, getting Markkanen raises their floor but badly lowers their ceiling.
The Jazz would have too many young player on their team, but rebuilding teams can afford to see who should be kept around and who should be sent out. It's not a predicament that's easy to resolve, but if it leads to their best draft assets getting better, it might be worth it.
Grade: C+