The Los Angeles Lakers were the third seed in the Western Conference this season. They faced the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs and had home-court advantage in the best-of-seven series.
However, the Timberwolves defeated the Lakers in five quick games, sending LeBron James and Luka Doncic home early.
For Los Angeles to win a championship in the James-Doncic era, president of basketball operations Rob Pelinka may need to acquire a third All-Star this offseason.
With that said, Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World proposed that the Lakers make a blockbuster trade with the Utah Jazz this summer.
Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen
This NBA trade idea sends Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen to the Los Angeles Lakers.
© Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
Bitar proposed that the Lakers trade Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, the 55th overall pick in this year's draft and a 2031 first-round pick to the Jazz for Lauri Markkanen.
"If Pelinka waves the Reaves-Hachimura-Vanderbilt trio plus a 2031 first, Markkanen slides in as the ultimate Luka-LeBron release valve. Picture the high-side pick-and-pop with Doncic, then pivoting to horns sets where James can rest on the weak side and still warp the defense with his gravity," Bitar wrote.
Markkanen appeared in 47 games for the Jazz this season. He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 42.3% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line.
A one-time All-Star, Markkanen will make $46.4 million next season.
According to Sarah Todd of the Deseret News, the Jazz are willing to hear trade offers for Walker Kessler and Markkanen.
The Jazz, who had the worst record in the Western Conference this season, could be active over the next several weeks.