All-Star’s rumored price tag shows the 76ers dodged a massive bullet

The Philadelphia 76ers entered the offseason touting the most robust cap space among all teams, and they definitely maximized what they had on their plate. They managed to sign Paul George, arguably the best player available in free agency, to a max contract, and surrounded their new Big Three with well-fitting parts.

Prior to free agency, though, the 76ers were probably the hottest commodity in the rumor mill, being linked to multitudes of names then projected to be available in trades. Ultimately, the front office passed up on those scenarios and decided to pounce hard in the open market.

Heck, they seem to have dodged a massive bullet.

76ers dodged a massive bullet after rumored Lauri Markkanen price tag

There were initial murmurs about Philadelphia endorsing itself as a potential trade destination for Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, who’s become the most talked about player in the rumor mill at this juncture.

Right now, the Warriors are the only reported suitor for the All-Star, but Utah is demanding a colossal price tag to get the ball rolling on the trade. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Jazz want Brandin Podziemski, three frist-round picks, three to four unprotected pick swaps, and three or four second-round picks from the Warriors.

Quite a mouthful, right?

For as good as Markkanen is as a player, he’s not nearly worth mortgaging your entire future for. At best, he’s a second option on a playoff team. To treat a potential trade package for him as one comparable to what a Luka Doncic-type asset would command is an obscene amount of brazenness from Danny Ainge and the Jazz brass.

The Philadelphia 76ers did well avoiding Lauri Markkanen altogether. If not, the Jazz may have wanted Tyrese Maxey and their entire, recently recouped war chest of draft picks for the All-Star.