The Philadelphia 76ers might have just chanced upon the most optimal opportunity to snag an All-Star talent via trade. And the best part about it is it may not even prove to be a costly one to pursue if they express their interest.
After more than a year of stubborn withholding, the Utah Jazz have reportedly made All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen available for taking via trade. The Finnish forward, who had his best season two years ago, saw his production take a dip during the previous campaign, yet his team has remained stubborn about keeping him in the fold. Now, they are doing a 180-degree posture.
Color me unsurprised, though. People should have probably seen this one coming. Markkanen was already a precarious player to trade for due to his contract, yet even when his value was at an all-time high, the Jazz never even entertained trade offers for him and sought to remain competitive, although they completely failed in that regard as well.
With Markkanen’s stock now crashing, prospective buyers could very well find themselves being served with a massive opportunity to cash in, albeit for a fraction of the price. And in view of that fact, the 76ers should seriously consider joining in on the fun.
The 76ers can now realistically trade for Lauri Markkanen if they want to
It is unknown if Philadelphia ever really tried to dip their fingers into the Markkanen craze before last season happened, but from a fit perspective, the 76ers are one of the best and most sensible landing spots for the one-time All-Star.
Markkanen, who is coming off a very strong stint in the Euroleague with the Finnish National Team, have compelling reasons to urge people that his decline last season was a mere aberration. True enough, his nagging injuries impacted his efficiency, and the Jazz’s identity crisis made it difficult for him to re-entrench himself at the top of the food chain.
Hypothetically, though, Markkanen would be literally perfect for the 76ers. Not only does he bring a lot of size to their otherwise constantly outsized frontcourt, but he is also one of the best high-volume three-point shooters in the league.
However, Markkanen is not just a Davis Bertans-type clad in a shining armor. Unlike most players of his ilk, he can create his own shot. On defense, he can hold his own, especially against opposing forwards, despite his lack of supreme speed.
If the 76ers want to part with someone like, say, Paul George, Lauri Markkanen would be a very intriguing options for them to pivot. Even better, given his current value, the Jazz will no longer ask the world from them.