Houston Rockets Acquire All-Star Big

The Houston Rockets are reportedly in the running for Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. The Finnish player averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds, and his team is now looking to part ways with him as part of its rebuild.

Both teams appear to be at different stages of their rebuilds. The Rockets have a bit of an edge, going 41-41 last season, and are looking to make the playoffs and move up. The Jazz continue to stockpile draft picks and young talent for their veterans in hopes of building their team into a playoff contender.

Markkanen would be a great floor player and rebounder for a Rockets team that desperately needs one. Houston struggled offensively last season, averaging 114.3 points per game (16th in the league) while allowing 113.2 points per game (14th in the league) on defense. Markkanen can solve the Rockets’ problems or at least alleviate them.

Jazz receives: Steven Adams, Cam Whitmore, Tari Eason, 2025 unprotected first-round pick, 2028 unprotected first-round pick

Rockets receive: Lauri Markkanen, 2031 first-round pick (top 5 protected)

This trade provides great insurance for both sides. On the one hand, Utah gets young players Whitmore and Eason to bolster its core, with each player taking advantage of the limited playing time they received for their production last season. Not to mention, the Jazz would get two unprotected first-round picks that fit the timeline of their rebuild. Sure, Adams is being added for salary cap reasons, but he can always be traded later.

As for Houston, Markkanen is of course the big prize, but that 2031 draft pick provides some much-needed insurance since they’re not close to being a contender yet. The top-five protection means Utah can’t be that bad in 2031, but the odds of that pick converting into Houston’s are high. It’s a win-win for both sides.

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