Miami Heat Show Interest in Former NBA All-Star.
The Miami Heat are interested in signing Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
Markkanen’s name has been linked to a number of trade speculations recently, and teams like the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors are reportedly interested in adding the former All-Star. Nevertheless, Sarah Todd of Deseret News speculates that rather than actively shopping Markkanen, the Jazz are probably assessing his market.
Following his trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Markkanen has played his final two seasons in Utah. During that period, the product of Finland was chosen for one NBA All-Star team and in the 2022–2023 season, he took home the Most Improved Player title. Markkanen has averaged 24.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game while playing with the Jazz thus far.
Former NBA All-Star Is of Interest to the Miami Heat
Does the Jazz Have Long-Term Plans to Retain Lauri Markkanen?
Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports provided information about Markkanen’s situation with the Jazz at the beginning of free agency. Moreover, Fischer was merely restating Todd’s earlier remarks. The Jazz are “welcoming calls on Markkanen,” according to Fischer. It doesn’t appear like the team is in a rush to let him go, though.
According to league sources who spoke with Yahoo Sports, the Jazz are absolutely open to calls on Markkanen. Thanks to a sizable haul from New York, Utah might end up having an offseason more akin to Brooklyn’s, when the Nets originally planned to add elite talent to go along with Mikal Bridges before deciding it would be best to begin a rebuild. According to earlier reports from Yahoo Sports, the Jazz were considering making a trade for Bridges. They also reportedly spoke with Atlanta over Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, and they were putting together a nucleus around Markkanen that might have caught George’s attention.
Fischer also mentions that the Jazz are still interested in negotiating a contract extension with Markkanen for next month.
“The Jazz may be attempting to obtain information from potential suitors or attempting to elicit a high-ball offer similar to the five first-round picks plus an additional unprotected pick swap from the Knicks in exchange for Bridges, as seen by the most recent round of trade talks involving Markkanen. According to insiders, the Jazz have so far told several NBA parties that they would still like to renegotiate and extend Markkanen when the two sides become eligible to do so in August and that considering bids for Markkanen is simply a necessary part of conducting business.
Final Thoughts on Lauri Markkanen
For the Heat, acquiring Markkanen might be a wise decision. Miami finished the previous season as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference with a 46-36 record. In the first round, they also suffered a five-game loss to the Boston Celtics, who went on to win the championship. The Heat must make the most of their championship window right now since Jimmy Butler’s future with the organization is still up in the air. And Markkanen might assist the squad in accomplishing that if they can steal him from Utah.