Jazz Landing No. 3 Pick Might Require Lauri Markkanen in Trade
The rumor mill keeps rolling along for the Utah Jazz in regard to potential trades as we approach the 2023 NBA draft. The latest is from The Athletic's NBA insider John Hollinger, who wrote about the No. 3 pick possibly being up for grabs with the Portland Trail Blazers' desire to get a small forward in return.
“Note that I said 'the team at No. 3' because of widespread speculation the Trail Blazers, who currently own the pick, will seek to trade out of the third position rather than select another young player,” Hollinger wrote. “With Portland in 'win it for Dame' mode and the Blazers desperate for playable wings (even presuming they re-sign Jerami Grant), speculation is already widespread that a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward.”
Taking a glance around the league, the first name that pops out is Lauri Markkanen. Putting together a trio of Damian Lillard, Grant, and Markkanen would put Portland in the conversation as a contender in the Western Conference. Also, considering the Charlotte Hornets may be leaning towards selecting Brandon Miller over point guard Scoot Henderson, it feels even more plausible that the pick gets moved, due to Portland already having Lillard cemented in at the one.
But would the Jazz even consider trading away an All-Star just entering his prime that’s already become a fan favorite in year one? With Jazz CEO Danny Ainge steering the ship, they absolutely would. Obtaining players that are under team control during Utah’s championship window has to be looked at when considering this exchange.
Simons has three years left on his current deal before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, compared to Markkanen’s two. When pairing that with the possibility of having Henderson under club control through the lifespan of two contracts, it may be too good to pass up for the small market Jazz.
This would give Utah four key pieces in Walker Kessler, Ochai Abaji, Simons, and Henderson locked up in a Jazz uniform without having to pay out a max contract for a minimum of three years. Ainge would then have plenty of cap space, draft capital, and most importantly, time to build a championship contender brick by brick.
The potential roadblocks could be Henderson being selected at No. 2 and being outbid by another team. Certainly, there would be competition to land the No. 3 pick. At the least, it’s something Jazz fans should be keeping a close eye on.
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