Lauri Markkanen is a player whose name feels like has been in trade rumors since his first season with the Utah Jazz during the 2022-23 season. He averaged a career-high in points (25.6) and field goal percentage (49.9%) that season and won Most Improved Player of the Year, along with being named an All-Star starter, while leading the Jazz to within three games of making the play-in tournament.
The Utah Jazz have bottomed out since that season, winning a combined 48 games the last two seasons, including the league's worst 17 games this season. The Memphis Grizzlies are now rumored to have an interest in obtaining the 7'0" small forward who would fit perfectly alongside their All-Star duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
His contract lasts through the 2028-29 season, which would give the team at least four seasons to see that core through, assuming Jackson Jr. is extended. While there is intrigue about Markkanen making his way onto the Grizzlies' roster, tough decisions will have to be made to allow a move of that caliber to happen.
Money is of the essence for the Grizzlies
Lauri Markkanen makes $46 million, which means not only will the Grizzlies need to trade a big contract (like Desmond Bane's), but they will also need to tread lightly for roster construction going forward. Adding Markkanen and losing both Bane and Jackson Jr. isn't an option for this team, but adding Markkanen, along with an upcoming extension for Jackson Jr., would severely limit the Grizzlies' ability to build around the margins.
They will be fine next season, but future years will be tough as Ja Morant is set to have extension talks this summer, too. The young nucleus they have of players will be split as well to make a trade work, but at some point, those players will be up for a new contract as well.
The NBA feels like it's at a point where teams can't afford to have big threes anymore with the new second-apron salary cap rules. Adding Markkanen would make the Grizzlies a formidable threat with a legit big three, but the cost could prove disastrous after year one if they don't move off of one of them after next season.
The same situation goes for their current core three pieces with Desmond Bane included, which is why rumors are swirling about them moving off of him. However, adding Markanen could be the move that takes the Grizzlies from good to great, especially including the Finland connection between him and newly appointed head coach Tuomas Iisalo.