Breaking: Jazz Star Lauri Markkanen denies trade rumor with extend contract with team….

Lauri Markkanen from the Utah Jazz should be acquired by the Oklahoma City Thunder this offseason, according to one NBA analyst.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes put out the following “blockbuster” trade proposal involving the Thunder and Jazz:

The Trade: Josh Giddey, Cason Wallace, and three future first-round picks are exchanged for Lauri Markkanen by the Oklahoma City Thunder from the Utah Jazz.

The Thunder traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and several draft picks during their most recent major transaction.

NBA analyst Lauri Markkanen believes the Oklahoma City Thunder should acquire him from the Utah Jazz this offseason.

The following “blockbuster” trade idea involving the Thunder and Jazz was released by Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report:

The Trade: The Oklahoma City Thunder trade Josh Giddey, Cason Wallace, and three future first-round selections to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Lauri Markkanen.

In their most recent blockbuster trade, the Thunder sent Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers in return for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and multiple draft picks.

One of the top players in the NBA is Markkanen. He shot 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc, and 89.9% from the free-throw line this season while averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks for the Jazz.

The one-time All-Star will earn $18 million in his contract’s last season next season. With the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Utah Jazz, he has averaged 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks throughout his career.

The Jazz missed the playoffs for the second straight year, and the Thunder fell to the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the second round of the 2024 playoffs.

The Thunder would have a deadly “Big 4” in Gilgeous-Alexander, Markkanen, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren if this hypothetical deal went through.