The San Antonio Spurs are already good, but this trade would make them beyond terrifying.
Are the San Antonio Spurs back? The Spurs have gotten off to a 3-0 start this season behind some tremendous play from Victor Wembanyama, and De'Aaron Fox hasn't event taken the floor yet.
Many viewed San Antonio as a serious playoff contender heading into the season, and the Spurs might even be prepared to take a bigger leap than most anticipated.
But while San Antonio's roster is already beyond impressive, Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey has envisioned a way to make it terrifying: by swinging a trade with the Utah Jazz to acquire Lauri Markkanen.
Bailey has listed Markkanen as a "realistic" trade target for the Spurs amid speculation that the Jazz could move the star big man.
"The San Antonio Spurs could compete for a playoff spot without any drastic moves this season, but they could also justify a big swing," Bailey wrote. "Victor Wembanyama is ready to compete for a title now, and swapping a couple less experienced players and a pick or two for Lauri Markkanen would help him get there."
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images.Markkanen signed a five-year, $238 million contract extension with Utah during the summer of 2024, a deal that will take him through 2029. Why, then, is there so much trade conjecture surrounding the former All-Star?
Well, the Jazz could probably bring in quite a haul for Markkanen, who is already averaging 34.7 points and eight rebounds through three games this season. Plus, if Utah wants to go nuclear and totally rebuild, moving Markkanen would obviously be a good idea.
The 28-year-old was also fairly disappointing in his first campaign after inking the new pact, registering 19 points per game on 42.3/34.6/87.6 shooting splits in just 47 games last season. That came two years after he racked up 25.6 points a night en route to winning the Most Improved Player award.
Perhaps a change of scenery would be ideal for the incredibly skilled Markkanen, and just imagine how dynamic a Wembanyama-Markkanen frontcourt would really be? Talk about an absolute nightmare to defend.
The Spurs have been pitched as a potential trade destination for Giannis Antetokounmpo, but while that may be just a bit of a pipe dream right now, Markkanen could actually be feasible.