OKC Thunder Considered ‘Genuine Contenders’ to Acquire Utah Jazz Forward Lauri Markkanen
As the NBA 2K25 Summer League concludes, the league is about to enter the quieter period of the NBA offseason. One unresolved question remains: What will the Jazz do with forward Lauri Markkanen?
Many anticipated that the Jazz would trade Markkanen before the start of the season, but there has been no movement on that front. Danny Ainge is under no pressure to act quickly and is known for waiting until he receives the best possible offer.
On Monday, Clutch Points reporter Brett Siegel shared his latest insights, suggesting that the Thunder could be serious contenders for Markkanen. “There is no current indication that this is on the Thunder’s front office agenda, but this organization is known for keeping their plans under wraps. If league insiders are discussing the possibility of Oklahoma City pursuing Markkanen before he becomes extension-eligible in just over two weeks, there might be some merit to this speculation,” Siegel reported.
The Oklahoma City Thunder, with their wealth of future NBA Draft picks, young talent, and a core focused on immediate success, are often linked to trade rumors. However, adding Markkanen, despite the team’s financial capacity to meet Ainge’s demands, seems unlikely. The Thunder’s core—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren—represents their championship future, and managing four max contracts under the new CBA would be challenging, especially in the league’s second smallest market.
Additionally, the fit between Markkanen’s play style and the Thunder’s current roster may not be as seamless as expected. Markkanen, who struggled as a third or fourth option earlier in his career before thriving in Utah as the primary player, might not integrate smoothly into Oklahoma City’s system.
Ultimately, while there’s speculation about a potential move, there’s no clear indication of what Utah plans to do. The likelihood of Markkanen joining the Thunder in the near future remains uncertain.
