Before, it was just mere speculation that the Utah Jazz would trade Lauri Markkanen for a high lottery pick if given the chance. Now, there's some actual smoke, and the suitor in mind is the exact one many believe could make sense as a trade partner for the Jazz: the Philadelphia 76ers.
ESPN's Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo revealed that teams around the league believe the Sixers will discuss trading the No. 3 pick. Markkanen was revealed as one of their possible targets, but there's only one caveat in a possible deal.
"Some teams expect the Sixers to be active in trade conversations, with names such as Kevin Durant (Phoenix) and Lauri Markkanen (Utah) as potential targets in packages that could include Paul George and the No. 3 pick. Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey has made a career of being active and aggressive on the trade front, but historically, it's rare to see a top-three pick being traded," they wrote.
With the Sixers' current timeline, they don't need a high lottery pick as much as they need a win-now star. Adding more incentive for them to make a trade is that signing George was a complete disaster last year, and he'll likely only get worse, so this is their chance to get out from under his deal. The Jazz could give that to them while sending over a better player going forward in Markkanen.
What could factor into a potential deal
Would trading Markkanen while getting the third overall pick be worth absorbing three years of a rapidly declining George, who will make more than Markkanen in that time? It depends on how highly the Jazz view who they would select if they snared with the No. 3 pick. Another factor is if they make a deal without involving the No. 5 pick.
That is the other concern. The Sixers may be willing to part ways with their pick but prefer to trade down rather than away. The Jazz may want more young talent, but they would justifiably want quality and quantity with talented youngsters. Possessing the No. 3 pick and No. 5 might be enough to justify taking George and trading Markkanen.
The ball will ultimately be in the Sixers' court. It wouldn't be easy to part ways with Markkanen, but it would be necessary if the Jazz can make a deal while keeping the fifth overall pick. Besides, this may be the best way the Jazz can salvage the situation they're in after having the worst outcome possible during the lottery.
The irony is that even if the Jazz and the Sixers switched places in the 2025 NBA Draft order, there would still be good reasoning for them to agree to a deal like this with the exact same parameters. It all points to the fact that it makes all the sense in the world for these two to make a deal with one another.
It all comes down to who will compromise and who will play hardball.