Report: Utah Jazz may be listening to trade offers for their All-Star
The Utah Jazz have been rebuilding since they were widely praised for trading Rudy Gobert, while later being criticized for trading Donovan Mitchell in 2022. The Minnesota Timberwolves have since made two Western Conference Finals appearances, which is farther than the Jazz ever got with the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
Yet, the Jazz haven't even been able to get back to the playoffs since conducting their two blockbuster trades. Now, they could be looking to trade their best player again.
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According to The Ringer's Bill Simmons, there's a belief among NBA league circles that the Jazz are now open to listening to trade offers for Lauri Markkanen.
The one-time All-Star has been a popular subject of trade rumors in the past. The legitimate seven-footer has established a reputation for being one of the sweetest shooting bigs in the NBA, holding a 37.1% three-point rate for his career while averaging 2.5 makes per game.
Still just 28 years old, Markkanen should have a great amount of trade value around the NBA, especially among teams looking to add more size and shooting to their lineup.
The Jazz may also have interest in trading former Timberwolves first-round pick Walker Kessler, who came to Utah as one of the centerpieces in the Gobert trade. Kessler is about to turn 24 years old, has averaged 2.4 blocks per game in his career but is now extension eligible for the first time in his career and the Jazz may not want to foot the bill.
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Related: Kevin Durant trade expected soon, NBA Conference Finals contender likely to pursue him
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