NBA Trades: Sixers swing for the fences in this wild proposed offseason deal with Jazz
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trades: The Sixers go for broke in this wild offseason deal with the Jazz.
Sixers-Jazz trade
The hypothetical trade between the 76ers and Jazz would see the Sixers send Paul Reed and first-round picks to Utah in exchange for Lauri Markkanen. If that deal were to happen, it would shake up the landscape of the NBA, with the Sixers getting a third star to pair with Embiid and Maxey and Utah bottoming out in hopes of being better in the long run.
Markkanen has broken out in a big way since being traded to the Jazz, averaging 24.5 points while shooting 39.5% from three on eight attempts per game over two seasons. That has made him one of the best shooters in the NBA and an easy fit on most teams, and he would give the Sixers a plethora of sharpshooters, including Maxey, Hield, and Markkanen, to surround Embiid.
Utah finds themselves in an interesting spot; with Markkanen and other solid players on their roster, they aren't good enough to make the playoffs but not bad enough to land a high lottery pick. That is no man's land for NBA teams, and they may regret missing out on last year's draft that featured Victor Wembanyama, Brandon Miller, and Scoot Henderson.
Another potential elite prospect, Cooper Flagg, is set to enter the NBA Draft in 2025. With Markkanen already 27 years old and about to command a massive new contract, Utah may consider deals for him this summer. But would both teams agree to the deal? Next, we'll find out.