While the Philadelphia 76ers and the rest of the NBA are waiting for the 2025-26 season to finally get on with it, some players were blazing the stage in the international scene. Aside from the WNBA, the basketball community was treated by the heated action in the Eurobasket, where some of the league's biggest names showed up for their respective flags.
The 76ers had a representative therein with Adem Bona playing for Team Turkiye. The incoming sophomore, who played second fiddle to All-Star big man Alperen Sengun, helped his country land silver, only falling to Team Germany, which eventually captured the continental title.
Still, one player stood out more than the others. Lauri Markkanen, who spearheaded Team Finland in the tournament, had a memorable run himself. He was the fourth-leading scorer among all players, averaging 23.6 markers per outing, while also being the third-most lethal pick-pocketter in the field.
Markkanen was a standout for Finland, which managed to end up in fourth place. He was the main reason why the Nikola Jokic-led Serbian team, which entered the tournament as inarguable favorites to win the whole thing, could only muster a Round of 16 berth and nothing more.
The 76ers should have done everything they can to trade for Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen had a down year last season for the tanking Jazz, but he remained as one of the most sought-after commodities in the trade market. However, Utah's front office kept gouging his price tag, turning off potential suitors.
The 76ers were never really in the actual loop for the All-Star forward, but they are one of the very few teams that have the mechanisms to entice the Jazz into a trade. Philly has the salaries to make the money work, but the front office ultimately allowed that ship to sail.
But in hindsight, the front office should have probably done much more to snag Markkanen. He seems poised for a big bounce-back campaign, and the lottery-slated Jazz simply are not the appropriate team to house such a win-now talent.
Touting a unique blend of sheer size and versatily, Markkanen is a malleable star who can function in a slew of roles on both ends of the court. He can play all frontcourt positions and in a hypothetical scenario, he would be a perfect complementary piece to, say, Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
If the Paul George experience keeps getting more detrimental for the 76ers, the front office should do whatever it takes to get rid of him. And if they can get Lauri Markkanen concurrently, that would be a fantastic scenario, even if they will need to pay a rather heavy price.