Miami Heat Could Target Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen In Free Agency

The Heat, along with three other teams are seen as the most viable places for Utah to trade their power forward should the price be right. Danny Ainge could move Markkanen soon, or wait until a better offer comes along.

Scott Salomon | Jul 5, 2024

Mar 27, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) drives against Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) during the fourth quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Lauri Markkanen, disgruntled in Utah, could find his way to the Miami Heat.

The Heat are one of four teams who could be in the mix according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.
Last season Markkanen averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds on 48 percent shooting.

Lowe lists the Heat, San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors as possible suitors for Markkanen.

"Trading Lauri Markkanen would buy Utah a one-way ticket toward the front of the tank line, and Markkanen indeed stands as perhaps the league's most intriguing trade chip with Mikal Bridges now in New York," Lowe said.

Lowe also said the Heat are not desperate to change the roster at this time as they are a much better team with their usual starting five on the floor. Playing at full strength was something Erik Spoelstra had do without for parts of last season. Still, Miami could be a player for Markkanen and improve the roster with that one move.

"That's seven teams, and we haven't mentioned the Miami Heat -- who finished sixth or worse in three of the past four seasons. It's not as dire as it seems," Lowe said. "Miami barely got to play with Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro available together. Nikola Jovic made a leap that presaged another. Jaime Jaquez Jr. . is legit. Miami could unlock enough future first-round picks to get into trade talks for some stars."

Scott Salomon is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He can be reached at scottsalomon67@gmail.com.

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Published Jul 5, 2024|Modified Jul 5, 2024

SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined FanNation on Sports Illustrated in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins channel. In June he joined Inside the Heat and Back in the Day NBA. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years. Scott has covered and has been credentialed for the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine, various Orange Bowls and college football championship games. Scott was also credentialed for the NBA All-Star game and covered the Miami Heat during their first six seasons for USA TODAY. Scott is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott has two sons and his hobbies include watching sports on television and binge watching shows on various streaming services. Twitter: @ScottSalomonNFL