NBA Trade Rumors: Could The Thunder Trade For Jazz Star Forward Lauri Markkanen?
The Oklahoma City Thunder is in one of the most unique positions across all of the league. While hoisting the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, the Thunder seems ready to find immense regular season success with the league's second-youngest roster, paired with a plethora of draft picks to use when needed.
With this, the Thunder is naturally roped into trade conversations for any player that somewhat makes sense in the trade market. One of the most recent players that are being talked about is Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.
Standing at 9-16 on the season and the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference, the Jazz are in the midst of a rebuild, despite having some talent on their team capable of contributing to winning basketball. Still, it might be time for the Jazz to hold a fire sale and have a youth movement to fully rebuild.
Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer broke down the trade market from the aspect of the Jazz and Markkanen, where his trade value currently lies and what teams might be interested.
"The third team league personnel continue mentioning to watch for a potential Markkanen approach is Oklahoma City, suddenly second in the West with a trove of first-round picks," Fischer wrote.
Looking at Markkanen's on-court fit, it seems to be there. However, the Thunder would have to dip into its stash of draft picks while dishing out a young player or two to help send the Jazz into a full-blown rebuild.
"The Thunder have so far been resistant to spend their draft capital and add to a burgeoning young playoff core, not wanting to rush past their breakfast and get to dinner before even thinking about lunch," Fischer continued.
Some names involved were Tre Mann and Josh Giddey -- two young talents who seem like a natural fit for this conversation -- as well as Davis Bertans, who is a salary filler who could end up being waived.
There is certainly a route for the Thunder to make such a trade work, but it's hard to imagine the team moves on from the three players listed while diving into some of its future draft picks this early in the process.
The Thunder has still yet to play playoff basketball since Russell Westbrook was on the team, and they've played just two Play-In games. Once the team gets at least one playoff series under its belt, maybe there's more of a chance of a trade like this going down.
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