The only way the Utah Jazz will pull the trigger on a trade is if they are offered a player and/or an asset that they simply can't refuse. Ausar Thompson fits into that category, which is precisely why he's not on the table. But one player who would fit into the Jazz's high demand for Markkanen is Paolo Banchero.
I know, you're rolling your eyes, but bear with me here. ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel floated the Orlando Magic as a destination for Markkanen, but it would be hard for the two sides to reach an agreement.
"Another spot that makes sense for Markkanen on paper is the Orlando Magic, since they have pushed their chips in to contend at the top of the East. However, pursuing Markkanen would force Orlando to part ways with either Jalen Suggs or Desmond Bane, whom they just gave up several first-round picks this past offseason to acquire," Siegel wrote.
The bottom line is that the Jazz would not want either of those two, as while both of them are excellent players, they don't have All-Star ceilings, but Banchero does. You may say well while then why would the Magic trade him then? Here's the dirty little secret about Orlando: they've been playing better since Banchero went out with injury.
Banchero hasn't played since November 12. In the eight games he's been out, the Magic have gone 6-2. It's way too early to say that means they should trade Banchero, but that data should not be brushed aside.
It begs the question, what if the Magic play better without Banchero?
No one knows that for sure right now, but if this trend continues throughout the season, where the team plays better without him while playing worse with him, that could lead many to speculate if the best move is to trade him.
It wouldn't be a knock on Banchero because the talent is obvious, but if the ceiling is limited in Orlando, then the smart move would be to trade him before his value craters.
A trade wouldn't happen until the offseason
Banchero is on a poison pill deal, as his max extension won't kick in until next season, so if the Jazz were interested, they would wait until then. If they do, Banchero has appeal, as he is young, has made the All-Star team, and has shown that he can take over games.
But why would Markkanen appeal to the Magic? Because that team desperately needs shooting, hence why they traded for Bane during the offseason. He doesn't solve all their problems. Having not only an elite shooter, but one of the very few elite shooting big men is a tremendous asset to have, no matter how expensive he is.
Ironically, it may take more than Markkanen to get a deal done on Orlando's side becuase Banchero is one of the NBA's rising stars. For that reason, he fits into what Utah would want in a Markkanen trade. Maybe the Magic won't consider that for some time, as they'll try to see how good their current core is together, but if it's clear things aren't working, swapping Banchero for Markkanen might do both sides more favors than either would think.