The first few dominoes of the 2025 NBA offseason have started to fall, as Kevin Durant was traded to the Houston Rockets and Desmond Bane was sent to the Orlando Magic. NBA executives have predicted that this would be a wild summer full of surprising trades, which has led many fans and analysts to predict which stars could be on the move.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is one such All-Star who has surfaced in trade rumors. Over the last three seasons in Utah, Markkanen has grown into one of the most versatile players in the league with his ability to shoot the 3 and handle the ball, so it’s not surprising that contending teams are trying to pry him off the Jazz’s roster.
Markkanen, who signed a contract extension worth $238 million in 2024, is a massively valuable asset in today’s NBA since he could fit on nearly any team. Which franchises make sense as a possible landing spot?
5 Trade Destinations for 2023 NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen
Philadelphia 76ers
Having lucked into the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Philadelphia 76ers have a major trade asset that Utah — which dropped a couple of spots and holds the No. 5 pick — would certainly desire in a trade for Markkanen.
The appeal for Philadelphia lies in acquiring a win-now piece to support an aging core that includes center Joel Embiid (31) and forward Paul George (35). Markkanen will still be just 28 by the start of next season, but he’s already played eight seasons in the NBA and looks poised to be a part of a winning situation.
Golden State Warriors
Long considered a good fit for Markkanen, who would blend well in the Warriors’ spaced-out offensive system, Golden State has multiple trade pieces that could be moved this summer.
Jonathan Kuminga, who fell out of the rotation late in the regular season due to fit concerns, and Moses Moody are proven rotational pieces. Both are just 22 and still have room to grow — especially Kuminga, who has shown flashes of star potential. He averaged 20.8 points in the Warriors’ second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves after injuries forced him into the lineup. Kuminga will be a restricted free agent this summer, but there are reports that his camp will work with the Warriors on a potential sign-and-trade.
Golden State also owns each of its next five first-round picks, one or two of which the Jazz could target as the Warriors operate with an aging roster.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have a very intriguing roster and may choose to stay the course with their current group. But after a promising end to last season — which included outside hope of clinching a play-in tournament spot — Portland’s front office could look to add a player like Markkanen to elevate the team to playoff contention.
After the All-Star break, the Blazers posted the second-best defensive rating in the league (112.1) but ranked 18th in offensive rating (114.5). They struggled to score with inexperienced guards and a lack of wing scoring outside of Deni Avdija. Markkanen could contribute immediately on offense and provide a long-term frontcourt option next to 7’2″ center Donovan Clingan.
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat have been stuck in neutral for several seasons, exiting in the first round of the playoffs as the No. 8 seed two years in a row. With control of their picks, Miami could offer Utah one or two first-rounders along with young players such as Nikola Jović, Kel’el Ware, or Jaime Jaquez Jr. While the Heat weren’t willing to break the bank in offers for an aging Durant (who turns 37 years old in September), perhaps they would be willing to give up more for the 28-year-old Markkanen.
The organization appears to have struck gold with Ware, the No. 15 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, who played alongside star forward Bam Adebayo late last season. But if the Heat view Markkanen as a ceiling-raiser who could push them into contention in the weaker Eastern Conference, team president Pat Riley could explore a deal.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers came one win short of an NBA championship, so why would they make a splashy trade that shakes up their roster? Well, there’s a decent chance the Pacers get priced out of retaining eventual free-agent center Myles Turner, who struggled mightily during the 2025 NBA Finals.
The Pacers could decide to pivot and pursue Markkanen via trade, possibly offering bench pieces such as Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, or Johnny Furphy.
Indiana would hate to break up the core of a team that has reached two straight Eastern Conference Finals and battled the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals — but that outcome may be inevitable. Adding Markkanen as a versatile pick-and-pop shooter who can also put the ball on the floor would be an ideal replacement for Turner.
