Even though they lost out on the chance to make the NBA Finals last season, the Oklahoma City Thunder are still poised to continue their success in the upcoming campaign. One way to make that happen is by getting talented big man Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz in a wild trade idea.
Markkanen, a Finnish basketball player, was selected seventh overall in the 2017 NBA dDaft by the Minnesota Timberwolves, but was immediately traded to the Chicago Bulls. In his rookie season with the Bulls, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Over the next few seasons, Markkanen continued to develop, averaging around 15 points and 7 rebounds per game.
In 2021, Markkanen was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he had a bit of a down year. However, in 2022, he signed with the Utah Jazz and experienced a career resurgence. In the 2022-23 season, Markkanen earned his first NBA All-Star selection and was named the NBA’s Most Improved Player. He averaged a career-high 24.9 points per game and helped lead the Jazz to a playoff berth.
Internationally, Markkanen has represented Finland’s national team, including playing in the FIBA EuroBasket tournaments. He has been named the Finnish Player of the Year a remarkable seven times, from 2017 to 2023. In 2023, he was also named the Finnish Athlete of the Year, the first basketball player to receive that honor.
Oklahoma City Thunder Land Utah Jazz’ Lauri Markkanen in Shocking Trade Idea
It’s no secret that the Golden State Warriors have been eyeing Markkanen for next season. The thing is, OKC can swoop in and get him from the Jazz, as proposed by Greg Swartz in an article written for Bleacher Report. In it, the Thunder will get the Finnish star in exchange of Nikola Topic, Ousmane Dieng, Kenrick Williams, and six draft picks.
“The Thunder are already big winners of the 2024 offseason with the additions of Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein. But no other team has more draft ammunition to trade for Markkanen, who would help turn what was once a small frontline in OKC into three 7-footers.
A starting five of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Markkanen, Chet Holmgren and Hartenstein would be massive, erasing any weaknesses the Thunder previously had on the glass. A bench of Lu Dort, Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins, Jaylin Williams and others would make OKC extremely deep as well.
This trade would create a significant gap between the Thunder and the rest of the West. It would add another 20-point-per-game scorer to OKC’s starting lineup while only making a small dent in the team’s future draft picks,” Swartz wrote.
Last season, Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 55 games for Utah. He is also a one-time All-Star and won the league’s Most Improved Player award in 2023.
Having Markkanen would instantly make Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder favorites to win the Western Conference next season. If this deal goes down, expect OKC to make a serious push at the championship.
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