Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley recently released an updated version of the NBA trade block big board. Coming in at No. 3 was Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, and the Portland Trail Blazers were named as a realistic landing spot for the former All-Star.
"The Blazers showed real competitive fire down the stretch, and they'll only get feistier with the addition of Jrue Holiday. They still need more scoring and better spacing, though, and Markkanen would provide both while forming a laughably stingy and wholly disruptive defensive tandem with Donovan Clingan, Deni Avdija, and Toumani Camara," wrote Buckley.
Lauri Markkanen would fit perfectly with Portland's new-look roster
The Jazz are the only team not trying to compete for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference. As Buckley notes, they're wisely leaning into their rebuild this offseason, selecting Ace Bailey with the No. 5 overall pick, trading away Collin Sexton for scraps, and buying out Jordan Clarkson. Those recent moves make it more logical for Utah to explore trades for 28-year-old Markkanen.
With the two teams trending in opposite directions, Portland makes perfect sense as a trade destination. They are looking to end a four-year playoff drought and are accelerating their timeline after the aggresive trade for 35-year-old Jrue Holiday.
That trade also proved that they are willing to overlook bad contracts if they feel like the player is the right fit, going from the expiring salary of Anfernee Simons to Holiday's three-year, $104 million deal. Markkanen is owed $195.8 million over the next four years and could also fit that criteria.
Blazers should try to upgrade from Grant to Markkanen
Portland still needs to address two things this offseason: forward depth and a lack of shooting. They could kill two birds with one stone by acquiring Markkanen -- and potentially even three if they find a way to offload Jerami Grant in the deal.
Going from Grant to a recent All-Star would be an upgrade at the forward spot while providing more reliable offensive firepower. This past season, Markkanen averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 42/35/88 shooting splits. By his standards, that was a down year, which could present a buy-low opportunity for the Blazers.
Markkanen would be a better version of Grant in terms of how Portland would utilize both forwards. He'd improve their roster in multiple categories, including scoring, rebounding, and size.
Portland is now committed to a center rotation of Donovan Clingan and Yang Hansen after investing consecutive first-round picks on them. Markkanen's the perfect frontcourt match for them. While he's not a lockdown defender, the Blazers already have enough of those type players, including Holiday, to help compensate.
Portland is currently taking a half-in approach with their playoff push for next season. Trading for Holiday will help, but surprisingly, they haven't made any follow-up moves to help them win now, either via trade or free agency. Trading for Markkanen would allow the Holiday deal not to go to waste, giving the Blazers an increased shot at a playoff spot.