Why aren't the Thunder more interested in pulling a move like this off this offseason? There were rumours mid-year and they would still only start having cap troubles come the 2026 offseason. I think a deal like this would beat out a GSW offer as I understand they're hesitant to move Kuminga with other assets and a San Antonio trade, provided the Spurs don't want to spend everything they have on this deal.

The money should work on this deal even after the Thunder sign their rookies but they Thunder may need to include a sign-and-trade Oscar Sarr to get them within the +7.5 million dollar range that they're allowed to take back.

The #12 pick is standing in for Nikola Topic

The rationale:

For the Thunder:

Though they have added Hartenstein at this point for more size they still, for the most part, have undersized wings. Though this is not a major issue, the Thunder have the assets to get a deal like this done, and with the second apron restrictions likely coming into effect for them in the 2026 offseason, why not pull a move like this off now? Markkanen only helps your floor spacing and rebounding, he's an all-star calibre player that may try to even shoot for all-nba next year and will provide another efficient scoring punch beside SGA. He's versatile enough to even play the SF position and this would give the Thunder an incredible amount of lineup versatility and an incredibly deep (and reliable) bench come playoffs.

Trading out the newly drafted Nikola Topic hurts, but in all honesty how different of a player is he than Josh Giddey, and can a player like that work in OKC's system? Topic will be redshirted most of next year at the very least anyways. Dieng is another big wing but doesn't get a ton of playtime with the Thunder. With their war chest of picks this trade does not hurt the Thunder's future trade ability and makes them even more competitive now (I would guess a 65+ win team this year).

For the Jazz:

The Jazz would only gain more picks to add to their already massive collection, plus they receive full control of their 2025 pick back. Gaining the three 2025 picks back is great considering the quality of player potentially in that draft (though these picks won't be at the top of the draft). Plus getting two young guys in Dieng and Topic who can be given minutes to continue to develop should be the play for the Jazz rather than trying to compete now. I think this haul is enough to move Lauri for the Jazz's front office and it's the perfect trade to help them continue in their rebuild.