Trade Proposal: Lauri Markkanen to Nuggets, Michael Porter Jr. to Jazz
An NBA analyst has suggested a significant offseason trade between the Denver Nuggets and the Utah Jazz.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade scenario:
- Denver Nuggets Receive: Lauri Markkanen
- Utah Jazz Receive: Michael Porter Jr., the No. 28 pick in 2024, first-round swaps in 2026, 2028, and 2030, and second-round picks in 2025, 2026, and 2029
Lauri Markkanen’s Performance: Markkanen played 55 games for the Jazz this season, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks. He shot 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc, and 89.9% from the free-throw line. A one-time All-Star, Markkanen also won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award. He has one year remaining on his contract.
Michael Porter Jr.’s Performance: Porter Jr. appeared in 81 games for the Nuggets this season, averaging 16.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He shot 48.4% from the field, 39.7% from beyond the arc, and 83.6% from the free-throw line.
Hughes noted, “Markkanen is effectively a better version of Porter, but he’s also about to get more expensive. Porter is on the hook for $35.9 million, $38.3 million, and $40.8 million over the next three seasons, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see Markkanen’s next deal start at a rate above the one in the last year of Porter’s current contract.”
Injury Considerations: Hughes also pointed out the injury concerns surrounding Porter Jr., who is over a year younger than Markkanen but has played 143 games (plus 33 in the playoffs) over the past two seasons. Markkanen, in comparison, appeared in 111 games during the same period.
“If Utah isn’t sure it wants to max out Markkanen, and if teams that could beat this offer fall asleep at the wheel (looking at you, Thunder), you can squint and imagine this deal getting done,” Hughes added.
Financial and Career Comparisons: Porter Jr. is set to earn $35.9 million next season, with career averages of 15.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists. Markkanen will make $18 million next season, with career averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks, having played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Jazz.
Team Performances: This past season, Utah missed the playoffs, while Denver was eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round in seven games.
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