SAN ANTONIO SPURS
The Spurs acquire Lauri Markkanen from the Jazz in a significant trade, sending out Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, Kelly Olynyk, the 2026 Hawks first-rounder (with the higher of San Antonio's and Atlanta's 2026 first-rounder heading to the Jazz), a 2027 Hawks first-rounder, a 2030 first-round swap between Dallas and Minnesota, a 2026 Jazz second-rounder, and a 2028 Pelicans second-rounder. Dylan Harper likely begins his NBA career off the bench, but eventually he may replace Devin Vassell as the starting shooting guard between De'Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle. Therefore, to amplify the slashing and playmaking of the future starting trio of De'Aaron Fox, Dylan Harper, and Stephon Castle, the Spurs need to surround them with shooting. Victor Wembanyama, the 7'4" inside-outside superstar who won Rookie Of The Year in 2023-24 and the runaway favorite to win Defensive Player Of The Year before a shoulder issue cut short his 2024-25 campaign, will be even tougher to defend with more shooting around him. Given this outlook, acquiring Lauri Markkanen and pairing him with Victor Wembanyama creates a versatile Twin Towers frontcourt in San Antonio. Furthermore, a Lauri Markkanen - Victor Wembanyama frontcourt coupled with a trio of slashing playmakers in De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper forms a brilliant starting lineup in San Antonio. Once Dylan Harper joins Stephon Castle as a starting wing in San Antonio, the Spurs will require more shooting. Lauri Markkanen's floor-spacing would then become more crucial than ever for the Spurs. Acquiring Lauri Markkanen also allows Jeremy Sochan to develop at his own pace off the bench and lead bench units with Devin Vassell. All in all, Lauri Markkanen is a massive upgrade over and a far better three-point shooter than Jeremy Sochan for the Spurs, as they keep Jeremy Sochan while acquiring Lauri Markkanen, whose presence becomes essential to San Antonio's offensive structure with the team's other four starters. Gradually, the Spurs go with this starting lineup for the 2025-26 NBA season:
De'Aaron Fox - Dylan Harper - Stephon Castle - Lauri Markkanen - Victor Wembanyama
UTAH JAZZ
The Jazz make this trade for three reasons:
1) Fair Value Package - Keldon Johnson, two expiring veteran contracts who can mentor Utah's youth in Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk, and three first-round picks, that are a part of the upcoming two drafts in 2026 (a key draft for Utah to prioritize to avoid losing their pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it falls outside the top eight) and 2027, represents fair value in return for Lauri Markkanen
2) 2026 NBA Draft Odds - AJ Dybantsa will play for the BYU Cougars, and as a local top prospect, the Jazz should have their eyes on drafting him in the 2026 NBA Draft. Even so, Cameron Boozer (whose father was once drafted by and starred for the Jazz) and Darryn Peterson (an elite two-way combo guard) complete a stellar top three of the 2026 NBA Draft with AJ Dybantsa. Keeping Lauri Markkanen may inadvertently take away from the odds to draft one of them for the Jazz, as seen in the 2023 and 2024 NBA Drafts, before finishing with the NBA's worst record in 2024-25. Therefore, they should look to sell high on Lauri Markkanen, add extra draft capital in the 2026 NBA Draft, and not only retain their 2026 first (owed to the Oklahoma City Thunder if it falls outside the top eight) but maximize their odds at one of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cameron Boozer, the standouts of a talented class
Looking ahead, there is an extremely strong chance that these three statements prove true given the strength of the top of the 2026 NBA Draft:
AJ Dybantsa > Lauri Markkanen
Darryn Peterson > Lauri Markkanen
Cameron Boozer > Lauri Markkanen
Trading Lauri Markkanen and potentially securing the necessary draft ammunition to trade up for another top ten pick on top of maximizing their odds at and drafting one of AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cameron Boozer in the 2026 NBA Draft is a logical path forward for Utah
3) Salary Flexibility - Lauri Markkanen's $46 million per year contract is a huge commitment for a rebuilding team, especially one that can draft their future franchise player for a fraction of the cost. One potential candidate, who plays just an hour south in Provo, has already started building strong ties within the Utah basketball community. Another potential candidate was born in Utah during his father's stint with the Jazz. Keeping a player who reduces their odds of landing a top pick, and with it the chance to draft a future franchise player in 2026, may not align with Utah's best long-term interests. Plus, the Jazz are following a long-term plan, as evidenced by their decision to draft Airious Bailey, who could fit well with either AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, or Cameron Boozer if the Jazz land a top-three pick in 2026. Even if he does not pan out, Utah gains a Plan B wing off the bench in Keldon Johnson, whose contract is lighter with just two years left. Harrison Barnes and Kelly Olynyk are on expiring contracts, so the Jazz shed long-term salary here
As they think about adding one of AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, or Darryn Peterson in the 2026 NBA Draft, the Jazz now have the following lineup for the 2025-26 NBA season:
Isaiah Collier - Keyonte George - Airious Bailey - Taylor Hendricks - Walker Kessler
Both sides gain clarity here, with competitive clarity for San Antonio and future roster construction clarity for Utah. The Spurs enter win-now mode, address team needs, and implement a unique inverted offense where the guards and wings are slashers and the bigs space the floor. The Jazz do whatever it takes to ensure they keep their pick in the top eight of the 2026 NBA Draft, clear cap space, and gain flexibility to maximize their odds of landing a top three prospect in the 2026 NBA Draft to build for the future.
Makes sense.