Report: Kings monitoring availability of Lauri Markkanen

NBA free agents are coming off the board, but the Sacramento Kings have their eyes set on the trade market.

According to Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer, the Kings are keeping tabs on how the Utah Jazz will be handling their offseason as the franchise weighs its options regarding seven-foot All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen.

Markkanen, 28, is entering the final year of his contract ($18 million), and the Jazz could look to cash in on the seventh pick of the 2017 NBA Draft.

While Sacramento’s interest comes as no surprise–they have also been widely linked to New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram and Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma thus far in the offseason–it might be difficult for the Kings to bring Markkanen to Golden 1 Center.

Per Fischer’s report, Utah will want Sacramento forward Keegan Murray in a potential swap for Markkanen, a loss that would stink as the fourth pick from the 2022 draft has shown immense potential to be a two-way threat.

In addition to Golden State, Sacramento and San Antonio have been the two other teams characterized by league figures with knowledge of the situation as strong possible suitors for Markkanen at this point. For the Kings to land Markkanen, NBA personnel believe the Jazz would require Sacramento to part with Keegan Murray, and that might leave other trade options like Brandon Ingram as a more palatable outcome for the Kings.

Yahoo! Sports’ Jake Fischer – July 1, 2024

Latest for @YahooSports: On the ripple effects of Klay Thompson signing with the Mavericks, from the Warriors and other teams’ pursuits of Lauri Markkanen, to the Lakers next steps with LeBron James https://t.co/x5ORSIAJgW

— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) July 1, 2024

The Kings have previously shown no intention to include Murray in trade scenarios, meaning it wouldn’t be surprising to see them pivot back to the Ingram and Kuzma talks.

It’s been two years since Sacramento made a notable roster upgrade, and while the pressure is mounting for general manager Monte McNair and the Kings front office, they have made it clear that they won’t be strong-armed into making a deal that they do not feel comfortable in pulling the trigger.

More info on Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen

Lauri Markkanen | Utah Jazz | SF/PF | Age: 27 | 2024-25 salary: $18.044 million

The 2023-24 Kings had a ton of talent, but lacked another scoring machine opposite De’Aaron Fox and Malik Monk. Lauri Markkanen fits those concerns.

The one-time all-star has grown massively since being traded to the Utah Jazz in 2022, becoming the franchise’s cornerstone star. He fished with a career-high 25.6 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game in the 2022-23 regular season. The Finnish star finished with 23.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG last season, showing his improved production is here to stay.

He is also a near 40% shooter from behind the arch in the last two seasons, becoming one of the best sharpshooters in the NBA. The forward enters the final year of his current deal, making a little more than $18 million next season.

Here’s the full list of accolades for Lauri Markkanen in the NBA:

• 1x All-Star
• 2017-18 All-Rookie Team
• 2022-23 Most Improved

When is the next NBA off-season date of interest?

Now that the NBA Draft is in the rearview, all eyes will shift to the start of free agency.

All 30 teams will be able to negotiate free-agent deals with players beginning this Sunday, June 30th, at 3:00 PM PDT.

Sacramento already did some heavy lifting by agreeing to a four-year, $78 million deal with Sixth Man of the Year runner-up Malik Monk, as the two sides agreed on a long-term contract last weekend.

Stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Kings free agency coverage, including player profiles, trade rumors, and much more.

Sacramento Kings 2024 Summer Schedule

California Classic | Golden 1 Center | Sacramento, CA

• Saturday, July 6th – vs. Chinese National Team – 7:30 PM PDT
• Sunday, July 7th – vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PDT
• Tuesday, July 9th – vs. Charlotte Hornets – 7:00 PM PDT

NBA Offseason Schedule

• Sunday, June 30th – Free Agent negotiating window opens (3 PM PST)
• Saturday, July 6th – Free Agents can officially sign contracts
• July 12-22nd – Las Vegas Summer League
• July 27-August 11th – 2024 Olympic Games
• Friday, September 27th – NBA training camps begin

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