NBA Rumors: Lauri Markkanen Trade Talks, DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Kuzma, Lakers, Knicks, 76ers

Teams around the league are bolstering their rosters in an arms race for a shot at the championship, with the 76ers landing Paul George , the Knicks acquiring Mikal Bridges , the Pelicans acquiring Dejounte Murray , the Thunder adding Alex Caruso and Isaiah Hartenstein so far this summer, and the Mavericks landing Klay Thompson .

Which other notable players could change teams via free agency or the trade market?

HoopsHype has gathered the latest intel on Lauri Markkanen trade talks, a potential Bulls shakeup of its trio, Kyle Kuzma’s future, and what potential moves are ahead for the Lakers, Knicks, and 76ers.

1

1

Lauri Markkanen trade talks

Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

With Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen eligible to renegotiate and extend his contract in August, Utah executives Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik have received a bevy of interest from teams around the league looking to acquire the star forward. The leaguewide belief is that the Jazz would only consider moving Markkanen for a sizable trade package similar to what the Knicks gave up to acquire Mikal Bridges – a player Utah tried to acquire and pair with Markkanen. For context, New York overwhelmed the market for Bridges, who has two years on his contract, by agreeing to trade four unprotected first-round picks, an unprotected pick swap, and a protected first-round pick. Markkanen is owed $18 million this season in the final year of his contract. Utah has inquired about stars that have become available over the years, including Damian Lillard in the past, according to league sources. This is a perceived needle-moving point for Utah in the eyes of executives around the league. Over the next year or so, opposing executives believe the Jazz will either find another star to pair with Markkanen and attempt to compete at a higher level or trade Markkanen while his value is at its highest and retool the roster in an attempt for future long-term sustainable success. The Warriors, Kings, Spurs, Timberwolves, and Pelicans are among the teams who’ve expressed interest in trading for Markkanen, league sources told HoopsHype. Regarding Golden State, Jonathan Kuminga is considered the team’s top young trade asset. Yet, the Warriors ideally don’t want to part with him unless it’s for an All-NBA player, as previously reported by HoopsHype. Sacramento has shopped Kevin Huerter , Harrison Barnes , and future draft picks in the years to come across the league looking to upgrade the roster. Utah, however, would likely covet rising young forward Keegan Murray , who Sacramento has identified as a core piece of the future. San Antonio has several future draft picks, young assets in Devin Vassell (though he’s viewed as a core piece), Keldon Johnson , and Jeremy Sochan , to dangle. Minnesota is a tougher trade partner unless the Timberwolves are theoretically willing to move Karl-Anthony Towns or Jaden McDaniels in a package for Markkanen. By all accounts, however, Minnesota appears willing to bring the team's core back and will try to make another deep playoff run this season. New Orleans has gauged the trade market on forward Brandon Ingram , including recent exploratory interest from the Sacramento Kings, as recently reported by HoopsHype. The Pelicans have other desirable young assets in forwards Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones . However, the team has been reluctant to part with Murphy III and Jones in trade talks with teams to this point.

What’s next for the Bulls and Lakers?

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls already traded All-Defensive stopper Alex Caruso , and the team could potentially part with more of its remaining core. DeMar DeRozan could leave in free agency or via a sign-and-trade agreement, and Lonzo Ball – who hasn’t played in an NBA game since January 14, 2022 – is considered a trade chip in the final year of his contract. Furthermore, if DeRozan leaves, there’s quietly a growing belief around the league that Chicago could look to move center Nikola Vucevic and lean further into a youth movement and roster retooling, league sources told HoopsHype. DeRozan, a California native, has previously been linked to a homecoming with the Lakers in free agency. Now, the Lakers are once again said to have exploratory interest in him, league sources told HoopsHype. The Miami Heat and DeRozan also have mutual interest in each other, per the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. The Clippers also were considered a possible landing spot for DeRozan, as reported by HoopsHype and NBC Sports Chicago’s KC Johnson. However, once talks with Derrick Jones Jr. broke down in Dallas and the Mavericks pivoted to Naji Marshall on a three-year, $27 million deal, the Clippers swooped in for Jones Jr. and agreed to a three-year, $30 million deal. The Clippers also agreed with James Harden on a two-year, $70 million contract.

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

In addition to DeRozan, another notable player the Lakers have interest in besides DeRozan is Blazers forward Jerami Grant , league sources told HoopsHype. Grant, represented by Klutch Sports Group with Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis , has shot 40.2 percent from 3-point range and averaged 20.7 points the past two years in Portland. Grant’s ability to guard up to four positions is also intriguing. With D’Angelo Russell exercising his player option for $18.69 million for the upcoming season, keep an eye on him as a potential trade candidate, given his expiring contract. The net is being cast widely across the league for trade options as the Lakers look to improve their roster for the upcoming season and determine a contract structure for James, who’s expected to return to the Lakers.

Kyle Kuzma’s future

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Similarly to Lauri Markkanen , who we reported on above, another potential difference maker as a trade candidate for contending teams is Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma , who’s owed $64.43 million over the next three seasons on a descending contract. Kuzma’s contract is viewed as highly attractive to teams across the league looking to improve in the short term and preserve financial flexibility to round out their rosters. Kuzma improved his scoring efficiency and playmaking for others while routinely being the top cover on opposing scouting reports. The seven-year NBA veteran averaged career-highs in points (22.2), assists (4.2), field goal percentage (.463), and free throw percentage (.775) last season with Washington. Given the recent trades of Mikal Bridges and Dejounte Murray , it would likely take multiple first-round picks for the Wizards to consider trading Kuzma, league sources told HoopsHype. The Sacramento Kings are among several teams that have called with trade interest to acquire Kuzma.

How will the Knicks replace Isaiah Hartenstein?

Elsa/Getty Images

As free agency neared, there was a resounding belief within the Knicks and around the league that Isaiah Hartenstein would leave for a better offer than the maximum New York could pay him, which would’ve been a four-year, $72 million deal. Instead, Hartenstein agreed to a three-year, $87 million contract with the Thunder. How will the Knicks replace Hartenstein, who became their starting center, looking ahead? New York’s Mitchell Robinson could return to the starting lineup alongside Julius Randle , OG Anunoby , Mikal Bridges , and Jalen Brunson . Or, the Knicks could play small ball with Randle at center, Anunoby and Bridges as forwards, one of Josh Hart or Donte DiVincenzo at shooting guard, and Brunson at point guard in another starting lineup combination. In addition, let’s take a look at a potential option who could return and some outside candidates. Knicks center Precious Achiuwa , who New York declined to tender a qualifying offer, has received interest from “several contending teams” on the open market, per SNY’s Ian Begley. Achiuwa, who played high school basketball for Our Savior Lutheran in the Bronx, New York, and St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey, likes the Knicks and is open to returning, league sources told HoopsHype. The Knicks have also made inquiries on the trade market, showing interest in Jazz center Walker Kessler , league sources told HoopsHype, along with Hornets center Nick Richards , as previously reported by HoopsHype. After starting 40 of 74 games as a rookie, Kessler started 22 of 64 games in his second season and didn’t take as big of a leap as some in Utah had hoped. However, when he played, his efficiency was notable as he averaged 12.5 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per 36 minutes. There’s a belief from rival executives that Utah would listen to trade calls for Kessler, whereas last year, the sense was he was not for sale. Richards is coming off his best season as a pro and has two years and $10 million remaining on his contract. He averaged 9.7 points, grabbed 8.0 rebounds, and blocked 1.1 shots per game in 26.3 minutes while starting 51 of 67 games. Other previously reported center targets, including Goga Bitadze , Jonas Valanciunas , and Andre Drummond , agreed to deals elsewhere.

What’s next for the 76ers?

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia has agreed to terms with Paul George , Kelly Oubre , Andre Drummond , and Eric Gordon , and extended Tyrese Maxey already in free agency, and has more moves to make. Philadelphia is scouring the free agent market and potential trade options to land another forward, with Paul Reed expected to be waived or used in a trade, league sources told HoopsHype. The 76ers have exploratory interest in trading for Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith , league sources told HoopsHype, but nothing is considered imminent there. The team's No. 41 overall pick, Adem Bona , is expected to land a standard NBA contract and earn a roster spot with the 76ers, league sources told HoopsHype. The 76ers will also cast a wide net to fill out its bench and are interested in adding more shooting and guard depth. Philadelphia has interest in Lester Quinones , league sources told HoopsHype. The 76ers were also linked to veteran Reggie Bullock , per Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Lastly, Kyle Lowry is still a possible candidate to return, but the Suns also have interest in his services. You can follow Michael Scotto ( @MikeAScotto ) on X, formerly known as Twitter.

1

1