The NBA trade deadline is a couple of months away, but the rumor mill is flowing, and the Hawks are among those mentioned.
Last week, Shams Charania of The Athletic once again linked Atlanta to Toronto’s Pascal Siakam but also OG Anunoby as well. The Hawks have been monitoring Siakam’s situation since the offseason. It’s clear they covet him, which is why it makes sense they could also be interested in Lauri Markkanen.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports, the 8-16 Jazz have begun to take phone calls on the Finnish big, who presents a similar skill set with size as Siakam. And the Hawks are among those linked to Markkanen.
“Two of those apparent suitors, Sacramento and Atlanta, make sense, considering the Kings’ and Hawks’ respective approaches for Siakam,” Fischer said.
Markkanen would prove to be a great addition. He would add much-needed size, spacing, and scoring. However, he’s likely to cost way too much in terms of draft and personnel capital for the Hawks.
We likely don’t have the assets to acquire a 26-year-old, who is coming off a season that netted the Most Improved Player award and an All-Star bid. It also doesn’t even seem likely that he will be moved.
“The Jazz are by no means expected to trade the 7-foot sharpshooter at this juncture. He’s been a true favorite of Jazz officials, sources said. But Utah has indeed left opposing executives with the sense that Markkanen is no longer untouchable in trade conversations, league sources told Yahoo Sports, a tangible change from previous transaction windows,” Fischer noted.
It’s possible the Hawks could potentially satisfy the Jazz’s asking price, but Lauri Markkanen would also need a new deal, which would certainly put Atlanta in the luxury tax, a place that owner Tony Ressler has vehemently avoided despite saying it doesn’t scare him.
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Photographer: Ric Tapia/Icon Sportswire
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