No-brainer Lauri Markkanen-Spurs trade package is too good for Jazz to refuse

With training camp less than a month away, the San Antonio Spurs are likely focused on developing their new team. However, they should keep their eye on Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen.

After a strong showing at EuroBasket, Markkanen should be at the top of the Spurs' list of trade targets. The Spurs should have plenty of interest in Markkanen considering that he would immediately solve their biggest flaw, shooting.

He had a down season last year, causing many to sleep on him, but he showed out in EuroBasket, reminding everyone that he is one of the best shooters in the NBA.

He averaged 24.7 points and 7.9 rebounds in just 28.7 minutes per game, including a 43-point outburst. If he has a strong season, then he could be a trade deadline target for the Spurs.

Lauri Markkanen should be at the top-of-mind for the Spurs

If he has a bounce-back season, he probably won't come cheap, but the Spurs could offer a strong trade package. Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, and the Atlanta Hawks' 2027 first would potentially be a reasonable offer if Vassell and Sochan have good starts next season.

It would be a somewhat risky move in the sense that the Spurs would be swapping three rotation players for one, but Markannen's ceiling is higher. He's also played at a far higher level than any of the three have.

There's something to be said for depth, with Vassell hopefully having a bounce-back year and Sochan having a career year. We'll see, but trading for Markkanen opens up some intriguing possibilities.

Were the aforementioned trade to happen at some point next season, it would give the Spurs more maneuverability. They'd clear out playing time on the perimeter for Dylan Harper and Carter Bryant by moving on from Vassell and Johnson.

Losing Sochan could hurt given his defensive versatility. Then again, his lack of shooting combined with this team's overall lack of shooting makes him an awkward fit offensively unless he gets better in that regard.

The Spurs are primed for one last big trade

A starting five of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Harrison Barnes, Lauri Markkanen, and Wembanyama would give San Antonio a big shooting upgrade. Markkanen shot 38% on 8.0 threes per game over the last three seasons to go along with 23 points and 7.7 rebounds.

While he would be the third option after Wembanyama and Fox, he'd fit seamlessly. He'd complement their two slashers and provide more spacing for Wembanyama to operate. Markkanen would also be cheaper long-term with him locked in for four more years, the same length as Vassell's deal. That's not even factoring in a potential Sochan extension.

As far as the second unit, Harper would likely see a big uptick in minutes without Johnson there. Depending on how well he plays next season, that could be another benefit of the deal. Factor in potential playing time for Bryant, Julian Champagnie, and Luke Kornet, and the Spurs lineup would make a lot more sense by removing two non-shooters.

Overall, the Spurs should keep Markkanen on their radar heading into the season. Depending on how both they and he look, he could be the perfect trade target for San Antonio.