While trading Lauri Markkanen would make some sense for the Utah Jazz, they would only do so if they got quality assets back. The Philadelphia 76ers could give that to them before the draft, but they wouldn't make it easy. The latest intel on Markkanen indicates that the Jazz are not trading him to Philly, and knowing the details of what the Sixers would want, fans should be excited for that.
PhillyVoice's Adam Aaronson confirmed that Markkanen going to the Sixers isn't in the cards. He explained that the reason why is because neither side would be able to find a fitting compromise with each other.
"Jazz star Lauri Markkanen has been the apple of many Sixers fans' eyes for years, but it would be wise to assume a swap of George and Markkanen is not in the cards. George and the No. 3 pick for Markkanen and the No. 5 pick should be an easy no for Utah; their likely counteroffer of Markkanen and the No. 21 pick for George and the No. 3 pick should be an easy no for the Sixers," Aaronson wrote.
There is an argument to be made that the Jazz would be willing to swap Markkanen for George, but only if they get the No. 3 pick without swapping the No. 5 pick. Alternatively, the Jazz could take George back without trading Markkanen, but only if the No. 3 pick is coming back and No. 5 stays in Utah.
But yeah, both sides understandably don't want to compromise, and that's a good thing for Utah. Getting the No. 3 pick would be awesome for them as long as they don't give up No. 5 because this draft class is stacked. There's no justification to include Markkanen and 5 in a deal for No. 3 and George because that's a straight-up overpay.
The Jazz wouldn't be against trading Markkanen, but ironically, when they would likely primarily want to improve their quality of assets, trading him would be about improving the quantity of their quality assets.
Both the Sixers & Jazz could make trades but not with each other
Philadelphia's interest in trading away Paul George's contract and the Jazz's willingness to dangle Markkanen could lead to trades on Draft Night. Still, all indications are they won't scratch each other's backs in a trade in this particular instance.
Everyone should understand why both sides would want to do that and why they wouldn't help each other out. It's tough to figure out what Utah's long-term plans with Markkanen are because he's entering his prime playing for a rebuilding team, while George is an albatross contract who will likely get worse on a team with title aspirations that can't afford to have that happen.
The idea of them becoming trade partners makes sense, but there's too many caveats for a deal to happen. Those same caveats might not be in play with other possible trade partners. It would all depend on what their trade partners would want and what they're willing to put on the table.
For the Jazz, a partner would have to do better than what the Sixers are willing to offer for Markkanen. At minimum.