Heat eying big Lauri Markkanen trade amid quiet NBA free agency

Jazz All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen is arguable the top player available on the trade market is and Pat Riley and the Heat are among the potential suitors.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported that the Heat, as well as the Spurs, Kings and Warriors, are circling the Jazz forward though the expectation is that Jazz exec Danny Ainge will reportedly force an acquiring team to pay a steep price for the highly coveted scorer.

Markannen is likely to garner a similar trade package to that of Knicks forward Mikal Bridges, who returned five first-round picks from the Knicks .

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As ESPN noted, Ainge will want a young player of significance to return to Utah in exchange for Markkanen.

Should Miami look to grab the Markkanen, it would likely have to move forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. at the minimum, on top of a bevy of future draft capital.

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Lowe also mentioned that the Spurs would be interested in the Jazz forward, however, they aren’t likely to be keen on trading No. 4 overall pick Stephon Castle, who projects as a strong perimeter defender.

Should Golden State be in on the bidding, as it was on Paul George, it would likely take Jonathan Kuminga and draft capital.

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Markkanen is on a very team-friendly $18 million contract for the Jazz but would be a free agent after the 2025 season.

ESPN added that any acquiring team will likely ask that the Jazz extend Markkanen in August prior to acquiring him, as the new salary cap aprons prohibit trading teams from extending him.

Markkanen averaged 25.6 points per game before averaging 23.2 points last season with an impressive 39.9 percent rate from 3-point range.

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