Should the Kings make a trade for Lauri Markkanen?

Jun 7, 2024, 2:00 PM

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 25: Harrison Barnes #40 of the Sacramento Kings defends Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz during the first half of a game at Delta Center on October 25, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

BY AMILIANO FRAGOSO

San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

With all but two teams in the midst of their 2024 NBA offseason, the trade rumors/speculation are starting to that up across the country. That includes here in Sacramento with the Kings. Per Bovada, odds for teams interested in Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen have emerged, if he was traded this offseason. The first team listed is the San Antonio Spurs.

But while there are a plethora of NBA franchises that the Finnish scorer could land on, should the Sacramento Kings be one of them?

Stiles & Watkins dive into that possibility on Friday’s show, outlining the various avenues Sacramento could take to acquire Markkanen. The duo discuss how he would fit with the Kings, who would have to be traded to get him, and if that is the right move for a Mike Brown-led team.

All that and more on Stiles & Watkins.

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?

The NBA Draft is now a two-night event.

Wednesday, June 26th, will act as the first night of the 2024 NBA Draft, where the Sacramento Kings will make their first-round selection (13th). The second round of the draft will be held on Thursday, June 27th, where the Kings will use its 45th overall pick.

Sacramento hasn’t had a first-round pick since 2022, when it selected Iowa product Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick.

Stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Kings draft coverage, including player profiles, reports regarding pre-draft workouts, draft night coverage, and much more.

NBA Offseason Schedule