4) Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen provides a better version of what Kuzma would bring to the table. From his elite 3-point shooting (39.9% last season) to his brilliance as an off-ball cutter, Markannen does it all as a scorer.
Lauri Markkanen was 1 spot behind Zion and 1 spot ahead of Jaylen Brown on the total dunks list this season…
— NBA University (@NBA_University) June 10, 2024
One of the best shooters & most efficient half-court scorers in the NBA who is also 7ft, mobile, & dunks like this. He’d fit right in as a weapon in Finals-level hoops. pic.twitter.com/f4ywKEphlE
There is just one problem. The Utah Jazz don’t seem to be shopping Markkanen at the moment. And why would they?
The Finnisher stands at seven feet tall with a lethal jumper, and he hasn’t even entered his prime yet. Markkanen just turned 27, and he made his first All-Star team two seasons ago when he dropped 25.6 points per game.
However, there is some hope for a potential Markkanen departure from Utah. With young forwards like Taylor Hendricks and Walker Kessler on the roster, the Jazz could blow things up even more than they already have by shipping Markkanen off.
If the seven-foot sniper does become available in trade talks, Atlanta should pounce. Markkanen’s offensive versatility would make him one of the league’s hottest commodities if he entered the trade market. Markkanen also ran a very effective two-man game with rookie point guard Keyonte George, who doesn’t quite possess the passing chops of Ice Trae.
Markkanen can slot into either forward position, as well as the center spot. Utah’s star player isn’t just a floor-stretching giant. He can put the ball on the floor and make things happen off the dribble and in the post. While many of his buckets come from elite off-ball movement, Markkanen possesses much more offensive talent and finesse than your everyday NBA seven-footer.
If they had the opportunity, the Hawks would be crazy not to attach picks to Murray in an effort to snag Finland’s No. 1 hooper.