After Marc Stein reported that teams around the NBA are keeping an eye on Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports says that several clubs have already contacted Utah to inquire on Markkanen.
Fischer stresses that the Jazz are “by no means expected” to trade Markkanen, who is a favorite of team officials. However, opposing executives have gotten the sense that the All-Star forward is no longer quite as untouchable as he was in the past.
“Do I expect Utah to trade Lauri? No,” one general manager told Fischer. “But they are saying they’re willing to listen. They are willing to listen to calls on everyone, but it’s a matter of meeting their price like Minnesota did for Rudy [Gobert].”
As Fischer notes, even if a deal is unlikely, the fact that the Jazz are open to listening on Markkanen means that there will continue to be plenty of buzz around him as the trade deadline nears. League personnel believe that the Kings, Hawks, and Thunder are among the teams that would have the most interest in the Finnish star, Fischer adds.
Here’s more from around the Western Conference:
- Rival teams had begun to zero in on Thunder guard Josh Giddey as a possible trade target before the NBA and California police began looking into allegations that he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor, per Fischer. Depending on the outcome of those investigations, Giddey may still draw interest ahead of the trade deadline. Oklahoma City also explored moving Tre Mann prior to the start of the season, Fischer adds.
- If the Kings pursue either Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby, the Raptors are expected to ask for Keegan Murray in return, which may be a non-starter for Sacramento, Fischer writes, since the Kings view Murray as an important piece in both the present and the future. However, another former lottery pick, Davion Mitchell, is considered a “strong” trade candidate, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
- The Grizzlies have made calls to potential trade partners to gauge those teams’ interest in some of Memphis’ reserves, but if a deal doesn’t materialize in the coming days, the expectation is that the team will probably waive Kenneth Lofton Jr. to open up a roster spot to activate Ja Morant next week, says Fischer. We took a closer look at Memphis’ looming roster decisions earlier in the week.
They’re not gonna find anything on Giddey. He met a girl in a club that was for over 18 year olds and she had a fake id when he was 19. She shouldn’t have been in there and he had no way of knowing she was whatever age she was since she lied and was in the club and presumably over 18. The fact that nothing has happened yet to him after a few weeks now says enough. The club owners should prosecuted but that’s about it. Dude got duped but I’m not sure how he was supposed to know.
Pretty much, if they are in a club 18 and up it is not on him to continue investigating her. It is what it is and the fans that continue to boo him are probably not well informed. They just see the allegation and look no further.
Really feel as if the Thunder should be buyers at the deadline. Forget taking bad deals for draft capital you have so much picks and talent now, in the future you won’t have the space to keep everyone. Already we have seen they aren’t here to tank for a higher pick they want to win now and have some quality players. I think what they need is someone to provide some experience, someone who can take take some of the scoring pressure of SGA and who can defend well.
Rumours I’ve heard lately is Lauri, but I’m not sure I like the fit with Chet. Just two tall thin bigs, both have that inside out game but defensively I’d be worried going against Jokic, Embiid, AD and Giannas, the premier bigs in this league.
Alternatively I think Pascal Siakim could be a really nice fit. Less of a scoring threat than Lauri but he’s way more experienced having won a title and multiple playoffs trips. Lauris never even made the playoffs before. He’s a much better defender and much better passer/facilitator.
Defensively I think he works great with what you have aswell. He’s got that savviness you get with experience, he can switch and he’s good on ball and off ball.
Raptors can have Josh Giddey, Davis Bertans helps for salary matching, then throw in a couple picks which shouldn’t be hard considering you have about 20 firsts
The only nitpick with your logic is calling Chet and Lauri both thin, like they’re the same.
I was watching the recent Jazz and Thunder game and noticed how tiny Chet’s arms really are. They said he gained weight over his real rookie year. I just don’t see it.
Lauri, on the other hand, is noticeably ripped. The Summer before he was traded to the Jazz he mentioned he bulked up so he could take more contact in the paint.
He’s able to dunk on 7 footers no problem. Look at all the dunk highlights from last year. In fact, he is the only player in NBA history to ever log 100 dunks and 200 triples in a single season.
I am a big Josh Giddey fan and think he is not having his potential fully utilised at the thunder…they need to include him in more offence..too often he and other players are watching SGA taking apart teams on his own. Still makes mistakes but has great instincts and is one of those guys who does whatever is needed for the team…the crowds can boo all they like…