OKC Thunder With High Odds to Land Utah Jazz Star Forward

Could the Thunder trade for a high profile rising star this offseason?

Mar 27, 2024; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) brings the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs during the first quarter at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma City has the potential for a busy offseason fresh off of a playoff run. The Thunder won a series and gained valuable experience, and now management understands the missing pieces to the current mold of the team. 

There’s always a chance the Thunder stands pat and runs it back. The team is clearly close, after losing to the Western Conference champion in six games. It would make sense to let the current core run it back and figure things out as they go.

But in the same breath, Oklahoma City is also armed for a potential trade this summer. With so many assets and draft picks, the time to strike is now. The Thunder won’t have to worry about the impossible contract situation for at least two more years, so capitalizing on this short window with a rental could make sense.

One name OKC has been tied to for years is Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, who has turned into a rising star for Utah. He has had two straight career-years for the Jazz and is blossoming into an All-Star player. This past season, he averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists on 48% from the floor and 39.9% from 3-point range.

According to Bovada’s official odds, Oklahoma City has the second best chance to land the star forward. San Antonio was listed as the +600 favorite, while Oklahoma City was close behind at +850.

The San Antonio Spurs are the favorites to land Lauri Markkanen if Utah decides to trade him, per @BovadaOfficial

San Antonio Spurs +600
Oklahoma City Thunder +850
Detroit Pistons +900
Orlando Magic +1200
Golden State Warriors +1500
Houston Rockets +1600

(Via… pic.twitter.com/7PGdWApxVl

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 6, 2024

While Markkanen is a fun thought, and would certainly be a perfect fit, the odds of it actually happening feel like slim to none. Utah has been publicly stingy on the idea of trading Markkanen and view him as a rising star that could lead them back to contention. It would take a handful of first round picks and multiple good players.

Off of pure speculation, it feels like the conversation would start with Jalen Williams — which is obviously something Oklahoma City shouldn’t entertain. It doesn’t make sense for either team from the standpoint of what would be given up to make the trade work.

If things start to go south in Utah, though, and the team wants to deal at the deadline, that feels like the most realistic chance for the Thunder to swoop in. For now, it remains a dream.

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