According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the Miami Heat are expressing strong interest in acquiring Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen. Recently, Markkanen’s name has surfaced in numerous trade rumors, with teams like the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings also showing interest. However, according to Deseret News’ Sarah Todd, it appears that the Jazz are gauging Markkanen’s market value rather than actively shopping him.
Markkanen has spent the last two seasons with Utah following his trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. During his time with the Jazz, the Finnish native was selected to one NBA All-Star team and won the Most Improved Player award during the 2022-23 season. So far, Markkanen has averaged 24.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game with Utah.
Miami Heat Eyeing Former NBA All-Star Do the Jazz Plan on Keeping Lauri Markkanen Long-Term?
At the start of Free Agency, Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer provided insight into Markkanen’s status with the Jazz, echoing Todd’s earlier reports. According to Fischer, the Jazz are “welcoming calls on Markkanen.” However, it does not seem like the team is desperate to move on from him.
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“The Jazz are indeed welcoming calls on Markkanen, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Perhaps Utah will ultimately follow a similar offseason strategy to that of Brooklyn, where the Nets once envisioned adding star-level talent alongside Mikal Bridges before deciding their best course of action was to enter a rebuild — thanks to a massive haul from New York. The Jazz, as previously reported by Yahoo Sports, were looking into trading for Bridges, held conversations with Atlanta about both Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, sources said, and were working to assemble a group around Markkanen that could have possibly drawn George’s eye.”
Fischer also notes that the Jazz are interested in negotiating a contract extension with Markkanen next month.
“This latest round of Markkanen trade conversations could very well be the Jazz trying to gather information from interested teams or an effort to solicit an exorbitant offer akin to the five first-round picks, plus an additional unprotected pick swap from the Knicks for Bridges. The Jazz have so far indicated to various parties around the NBA they would still like to renegotiate and extend Markkanen when the two sides become eligible to do so in August, sources said, and that listening to offers for Markkanen is just part of doing good business.”
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The Last Word on Lauri Markkanen
Acquiring Markkanen could be a significant move for the Heat. Last season, Miami finished with a 46-36 record and ended as the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. They lost to the eventual champion Boston Celtics in five games in the first round. With Jimmy Butler’s future with the team still unclear, it is crucial for the Heat to maximize their championship window now. If they can acquire Markkanen from Utah, he could help the team achieve that goal.
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