SALT LAKE CITY – Welcome to the Utah Jazz mailbag, where this week we explore whether the recent Desmond Bane trade changes the value of Lauri Markkanen.
Each week, we will send out a prompt on X and BlueSky asking for the questions you have about the Jazz.
Then, we’ll respond to as many as we can in that week’s Jazz mailbag.
Jazz Mailbag: Does Desmond Bane Trade Change Lauri Markkanen Value?
Is Lauri’s (current) trade value worth more or less than what Bayne just went for?
— Positive Jazz Guy (@natedog2111) June 16, 2025
Question: Is Lauri Markkanen’s current trade value worth more or less than what Bane just went for?
Answer: Let’s look at what the Desmond Bane trade netted the Memphis Grizzlies, and also what it did for the Orlando Magic to determine its true value.
While some have labeled the trade as four unprotected first-round picks, a pick swap, and matching salaries, that’s a bit deceiving.
Concerning the first round draft picks, only three (2028, 2030, and the draft swap) are truly “unprotected,” meaning they could net the Grizzlies the number one overall selection if everything went wrong in Orlando.
This year’s pick is slotted at 16, and will not move any higher or lower. The 2026 pick via the Phoenix Suns, while valuable, can be no higher than the second overall pick, because it’s the lesser of the first-round selections between the Suns and Washington Wizards, meaning it could never be number one overall.
BREAKING: The Memphis Grizzlies are trading Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and one first-round pick swap, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/UcQnmHbgZb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 15, 2025
While that means it could still be in the lottery, potentially even a high lottery pick, there is no chance it becomes the top selection.
In addition to the picks, the Grizzlies had to eat the salaries of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony, which are likely to total at least $55 million over the next two seasons.
For a team in Memphis that is hoping to compete for the playoffs, they’ll need both Caldwell-Pope and Anthony to contribute at those salaries, and as they showed in Orlando, that’s far from a guarantee.
On the flip side, not only did Orlando add the best player in the deal, they unloaded a pair of overpriced salaries, and didn’t have to include any young players on the roster that they’ve drafted over the last two seasons.
The draft capital included is significant, but I’m not sure I would call it a Godfather, make them an offer they can’t refuse package from the Magic.
Jazz Mailbag: Is There Room For Four More Rookies In Utah?
So, how do we apply that to the Jazz?
First, I think we have a few pieces of evidence that we might be entering a buyer’s market this summer in the NBA.
The Magic paid a fair price for Bane, but I don’t think they overpaid.
Similarly, the Suns have been shopping Kevin Durant for weeks, and while they would love to be blown away by a blockbuster trade package, it clealry hasn’t presented itself, otherwise the deal would have already been completed.
The @slcstars have named @utahjazz assistant Rick Higgins as the organization’s newest head coach. #TakeNote https://t.co/q6bObj4HeL
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) June 17, 2025
Those examples alone may mean the Jazz aren’t going to be able to fetch a truly massive offer for Markkanen this summer, which is likely why they didn’t trade him in the 2024 offseason either, even when he was the best player on the market.
Second, it’s worth acknowledging that Markkanen simply may not be as highly valued as Bane.
Historically, Bane is the better shooter of the two, even though they are both elite. He’s a superior defensive player, offers more positional versatility with his ability to play positions 1-3 on an NBA floor, and is an overall better playmaker.
Bane is also a full year younger, is under contract for the next four seasons (like Markkanen), and will make about $30 million less over the life of his deal.
Markkanen, to his credit, is bigger, likely more durable (though Bane averages more games played per season), might be a more unique style of player, and has the All-Star label, having been selected to the team in 2023.
With that said, I suspect the Jazz would keep Bane’s price tag in mind when discussing Markkanen in any trade deals, but may have to accept a lesser deal if they insist on moving him.
For what it’s worth, the Magic’s willingness to move multiple draft picks is probably a good sign for the trade market after the Dallas Mavericks netted only one pick in this year’s Luka Doncic deal, but the Jazz also might not be looking for more draft capital in any veteran trade.
Unlike the Grizzlies, the Jazz may prefer a collection of young talent in any hypothetical Markkanen, Collin Sexton, or John Collins deal, which may render comparisons to the Bane trade superfluous.
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Ben Anderson is the author of the Jazz Mailbag, a Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports, the author of the Jazz Mailbag, and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone . Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.