New three-team blockbuster trade proposal sends Markkanen to Kings, Hawks get backcourt partner for Trae Young

Lauri Markkanen’s availability has been one of the biggest issues of the offseason. The All-Star forward had a fantastic season with the Utah Jazz last year, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Those numbers came on a 63.1 percent true shooting percentage and a 39.9 percent three-point shooting percentage on eight attempts. In addition to his shooting and 7-foot-4 frame, Markkanen is also a solid defender who uses his size and athleticism to handle opposing wings.

Despite his talent, the Hawks aren’t expected to be the team to acquire Markkanen. It would cost a fortune in first-round picks, and Atlanta isn’t willing to put that offer on the table. They already owe the Spurs 2025 and 2027 picks. San Antonio also controls the rights to their 2026 first-round pick, meaning the Hawks don’t control their picks for the next three seasons. Markkanen is also heading to free agency in 2025-26, meaning the Hawks will have to negotiate an extension or risk losing him.

Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer discussed the interest in Markkanen on Tuesday, noting that Golden State, Sacramento, San Antonio and Minnesota have all expressed interest in acquiring the Jazz forward.

“In addition to Golden State, Sacramento and San Antonio are the two other teams viewed by league insiders as serious potential contenders for Markkanen at this point. For the Kings to get Markkanen, NBA personnel believe the Jazz would need Sacramento to part ways with Keegan Murray, which could leave other trade options like Brandon Ingram as a more palatable outcome for the Kings. Minnesota has also shown interest in Markkanen, sources said. Philadelphia never seemed to give Markkanen much consideration throughout the Sixers’ long search for a third star to slot between Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.”

Yesterday, Fischer provided an update on the situation and indicated that the Kings are pressuring Utah to make a deal.

“The Kings, to my knowledge, were close to a deal earlier this week. I believe so, based on the conversations I’ve had. I can’t comment on that, but there have been calls made to people around the NBA that have indicated that the discussions were legitimate there.”

While that is known, he indicated that it would take an astronomical offer to pique Utah’s interest and move Markkanen. They are not actively seeking him, but will listen to offers.

“The Jazz are going about their business with a 10% chance of moving him.”

Sacramento has control over its first-round picks, with the exception of 2025. They also have a young 3&D wing with potential in Keegan Murray, but I don’t think the Kings will want to include him in the trade. To maximize Markkanen’s talents and turn themselves into a true Western contender, their ideal lineup would be De’Aaron Fox – Malik Monk – Keegan Murray – Lauri Markkanen – Domantas Sabonis. Fortunately, they have a young, athletic defender with a reliable three-point shot in Keon Ellis in their rotation. They could make this deal with Ellis at center.

Atlanta could use Sacramento’s interest in Markkanen to its advantage. The Hawks and Kings have made deals in the past, most notably with the Kevin Huerter trade. Additionally, Atlanta’s congestion at center works in Sacramento’s favor. Sabonis often takes up most of the playing time at center, but his defense is pretty mediocre. To keep their All-Star fresh and build more defense-oriented lineups, the Kings could get Capela and play him as a backup center. Having Fox, Markkanen, and Murray on the court would provide enough offense to mitigate Sabonis’ impact on the bench.

A three-team deal would allow Utah to add to its arsenal of picks and Atlanta to improve its rotation while Sacramento could become a true Western Conference title contender. Here’s what that deal would look like.

It should be noted that this is just speculation and a fun exercise to see what kinds of moves can be made, not what I think a team should absolutely do. That’s all.

Atlanta gets: Kevin Huerter, Collin Sexton, Walker Kessler, 2025 2nd-round pick (via Sacramento)

Sacramento gets: Clint Capela, Lauri Markkanen, 2025 2nd-round pick (via Minnesota), 2027 2nd-round pick (via Los Angeles Clippers)

Utah gets: DeAndre Hunter, Larry Nance Jr, Harrison Barnes, Keon Ellis, 2027 1st-round pick (via Sacramento), 2028 1st-round pick swap (via Sacramento), 2029 1st-round pick (via Sacramento), 2030 1st-round pick swap (via Sacramento), 2025 2nd-round pick (via Portland, via Sacramento), 2028 2nd-round pick (via Sacramento)

Atlanta obviously knows how Kevin Huerter fits around Trae Young thanks to his exploits in the 2021 playoffs. Huerter is coming off a decline from his 2022-23 season, scoring 10.2 points per game on 44.3% from the field and 36.1% from three-point range. His statistical decline also coincided with a season-ending shoulder injury and a miserable defensive season. In short, his value is lower than it normally would be. Still, surrounding Trae Young with shooters is never a bad idea, and Huerter could give the Hawks a shot-making boost.

The real draw of this deal for Atlanta is Collin Sexton and Walker Kessler. For the price of swapping 2026 first-round picks Larry Nance Jr. and DeAndre Hunter, the Hawks get a starting guard/secondary ball-handler and a young rim protector. Although Sexton is just 6’1″, he uses his 6’1″ wingspan to shut down opposing guards. He’s a willing three-point shooter, shooting 40 percent from three on five attempts per game. Beyond the numbers, he’s an intense player with a relentless motor that boosts any lineup he plays in. The Jazz could rationalize losing him because their forward rotation without Markkanen is littered with questions. Hunter’s salary isn’t crippling for them because they have plenty of cap space. His solid perimeter defense and improved shooting stats are two skills Utah sorely lacks.

Walker Kessler had a rough season last year, but he’s still legitimately one of the best rim protectors in the league. According to BBall Index, Kessler ranks No. 1 in rim points saved per 75 possessions among players under 25. He simply doesn’t have enough offensive skill to be anything more than a rim runner. He works well in the pick-and-roll, which is one of Young’s strengths. Sure, this could be a bad sell for him, but Utah would have enough picks to find a young center with more upside in the draft. Atlanta would get a younger, cheaper backup center with some of Capela’s skill set.

The Kings’ motivation is very simple: Markkanen instantly makes them a title contender and Capela is an overqualified backup center. The only caveat is that Alex Len had a fantastic season for them last year as a backup center, so they may not view Capela as a necessity. Still, Capela can keep Sabonis fresh for the playoffs while also serving as a top-tier rim protector. They were also interested in Capela last season when Len was on the roster.

In January 2024, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints reported that the Kings were considering acquiring Capela during the Hawks’ off-season. It’s unclear where the negotiations stand or what the price tag is, but they have been linked to him in the past.

“Frustrations over their lack of success continue to build in Atlanta, leaving Hawks management open to virtually any offer that comes their way. For Capela, an influx of playoff-contending teams have already begun to show some interest, with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets and Sacramento Kings named as possible suitors for the veteran center, sources said.”

While Capela’s contract is expensive, the Kings get some pick equity and it expires at the end of the year. They can even trade him at the deadline if they decide his salary is too much to pay. I think they’d much rather have Capela’s deal than Harrison Barnes’, which has two years and $18 million and $19 million in cap space. Paying that much for an eighth man who had a down year is a tough pill to swallow.

Utah could decline because of their hesitations about Ellis being the centerpiece and Hunter’s contract. They could also value Sexton and Kessler by giving them a higher value than what was offered here. Atlanta would likely be concerned about Huerter’s injuries and declining shooting, but I think they would ultimately accept the deal in order to get rid of Capela and Hunter’s contracts. Sacramento could view Capela as too expensive, but I think they would accept it in order to get Markkanen and keep Sabonis as healthy as possible for a deep playoff run.