NBA Trades: Jazz land a Markkanen co-star in tantalizing potential deal with Pelicans
By Cal Durrett
After signing All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen to a massive, 5-year, $238 million extension, the Utah Jazz have seemingly chosen a path forward. Although they missed the play-in tournament last season by seven games, they will likely look to build around their franchise player as quicky as possible.
With him being 27, they will have to move quickly and a recent report suggests that they may pursue a New Orleans Pelicans star to pair with Markkanen. The Pelicans have a major hole to fill at starting center and could use a trade involving one of their best players to address that flaw.
Few starting-caliber centers are available, with potential trade targets such as Atlanta Hawks big man Clint Capela and Cleveland Cavaliers five Jarrett Allen off the market. Fortunately, for the Pelicans, the Jazz are shopping for a player that may help them.
As a result, the Jazz and Pelicans make perfect sense as trade partners, with both sides having something to gain ahead of the upcoming 2024–25 season. Next up, we will take a look at a potential trade involving both teams and see whether each would agree to the potential deal.