New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Lauri Markkanen To The Lakers, Austin Reaves to Utah

Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) shoots during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images | Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

While there are still some notable restricted free agents out there, the NBA free agency period has settled down for now, and the landscape for the NBA is taking shape for next season.

After trading for Kristaps Porzingis and drafting Asa Newell, Atlanta reached a pair of huge free agent signings on the first day of the free agency period. The Hawks signed Wolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker to a four-year, $62 million deal in a sign and trade that sent a 2027 2nd-round pick (via CLE) to the Wolves. Then, the Hawks signed free agent guard Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal. Not only that, but they got an unprotected first-round pick from the New Orleans Pelicans in a draft-night trade. Given the massive injuries in the Eastern Conference next season, it seems that the Atlanta Hawks are going for it and making moves to put themselves in a position to contend. One area they could still use some depth is at small forward, a third center. or another ball-handler. They have one roster spot remaining after signing last year's second-round pick Nikola Durisic to a standard contract and reportedly signing Magic forward Caleb Houstan to a one-year deal.

Utah has been ridding their team of experienced veterans to make way for the young guys on the roster to get plenty of playing time, and they are likely not done yet. After trading Collin Sexton to the Hornets, trading John Collins to the Clippers, and releasing Jordan Clarkson. While there has not been any credible reporting around a Lauri Markkanen trade, it would not be an illogical move for the franchise. He is an All-NBA-level player, but does not really fit on this team's timeline. He could net them a solid return of young talent and draft capital to continue aiding their rebuild.

All conversations around the Lakers seem to be revolved around whether or not LeBron James is going to be moved, which still seems unlikely. The biggest need for the Lakers heading into the offseason was center, and while the Lakers signed Deandre Ayton, there is no guarantee that he will be the player the Lakers need. Should they swing for a big trade to try and put a win-now player for this season around Luka Doncic and LeBron James?

So how about a trade where each of these teams tries to fill a need?

It should be noted that this is just a speculative and fun exercise to see what kind of moves can be made, not what I think the Hawks or any other teams should do or will do. That is all.

Hawks Receive: Jarred Vanderbilt

Jazz Receive: Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, Dalton Knecht, an unprotected 2031 1st round pick (via LAL), and an unprotected 2032 1st round pick swap (via LAL)

Lakers Receive: Lauri Markkanen and Svi Mykhailiuk

Feb 12, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images | Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Why the Hawks do this trade: They get better front-court depth and another high-level defender. While he is not a great offensive player, Vanderbilt is a defensive specialist and can give the Hawks a better body behind Jalen Johnson and one that could benefit from playing with a great offensive engine like Trae Young, that way he can get easy shots around the rim.

Why the Hawks don't do this trade: This move would put them over the luxury tax, which they have not paid under owner Tony Ressler, Vanderbilt is not on the greatest contract, and he is a near zero on the offensive end of the court. The Hawks may look to round out their roster with a cheaper option that does not make them less flexible.

Why the Lakers do this trade: Markkanen and Doncic would be a great pairing for the future and might make more sense than Reaves and Doncic. Markkanen is a fantastic offensive player who gives the Lakers more shooting and size. It is a steep price to pay, but the Lakers are all-in on adding talent around Doncic and making this his team once James leaves.

Why the Lakers don't do this trade: How much better are they after this trade? Is Markkanen better than Reaves? The answer is probably yes, but it is not as easy of a question to answer as you might think. This would limit the the trade assets that the Lakers have and they would need to hope that Markkanen is the ideal partner to play alongside Doncic.

Why the Jazz do this trade: This is the ideal trade return for the Jazz. Utah needs a lead guard and gets a potential all-star in Reaves while also adding valuable draft capital. They can try and flip Kleber and Vincent at the deadline (or buy them out) while seeing what they have in Knecht. Reaves would finally give them a player to start putting pieces around.

Why the Jazz don't do this trade: Perhaps they don't value Reaves, but this seems like too good of a trade for Utah to ignore.