Let's just get this out there: the Utah Jazz are not trading Lauri Markkanen. If that was the plan, they wouldn't have traded Walker Kessler, and they only did that because it gives them the chance to get an upgrade. That logic applies to the prospect of a Markkanen trade; they would only do it if they got someone better than him.
However, by trading Kessler, the Jazz may have to address a potential center issue. FanSided's Caleb Crowley proposed a good solution to this problem, but what Utah would have to pay up feels drastic. He proposed the following deal between the Jazz and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Cavaliers get: Markkanen, Svi Mykhailiuk
Jazz get: Jarrett Allen, Dennis Schroder, Sam Merrill, 2033 Kings second-round pick
Ads for why Utah would make that deal, "With Utah losing center Walker Kessler in free agency this year, the Jazz might be inclined to shop Markkanen to find the right frontcourt partner for Jaren Jackson, Jr.," Crowley wrote.
Alternatively, the Jazz could be on the prowl for the right frontcourt partner for both Markkanen and JJJ. In that case, Allen would work wonderfully in that regard. It's why he's come up before as a potential Jazz target.
But trading Markkanen for him? It's hard to see Utah doing that. Markkanen is an All-Star who is one of the most unique players in the NBA. There's no need to pull the plug when he's about to play for the best team he's ever been on.
Jazz also aren't helping a team who owes them assets
Utah has little incentive to help Cleveland right now. They have helped teams who owed them assets in the past, but indirectly, like trading Mike Conley Jr. to Minnesota because it led to them getting that Lakers pick (which led to them getting Jackson, so there you go).
It's hard to see the Jazz helping the Cavaliers, who not only have question marks but also just lost out on LeBron James. Because of that, the two first-round draft assets Cleveland still potentially owes Utah (one pick and one pick swap) suddenly increase in value. Trading Markkanen there solves a lot of their problems.
It would make all the sense in the world for the Cavaliers to want a reunion with Markkanen because of how much ground he covers for them. It makes sense for the Jazz to want Allen as a Kessler replacement. However, just because it makes sense for both teams to chase those players doesn't mean it makes sense for them to swap one for another.
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