NBA Rumors: “30 Or 40 Percent” Chance Dallas Mavericks Acquire Lauri Markkanen

The NBA rumors have been flying lately on the topic of Dallas Mavericks’ center Lauri Markkanen. The Finnish big man has been a breakout star for the team so far this season. He’s also eligible for a player option for the 2019-2020 NBA season. Markkanen is a restricted free agent in the NBA and he’s rumored to be in line for a maximum contract offer. Some reports say the Mavericks will offer Markkanen a four-year contract worth more than $50 million.

According to Basketball Insiders’ Ric Bucher, the Dallas Mavericks are among the teams interested in including restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen on a sign-and-trade deal. Bucher says the Mavericks are among those teams looking for a replacement for the injured Nerlens Noel who is likely to clear waivers, which would make him an unrestricted free agent this summer. Bucher says the Mavericks are willing to include Dennis Smith Jr. in a deal, but the Hawks are open to keeping their young star in Atlanta for the time being.

The Dallas Mavericks are reportedly trying to acquire Chicago Bulls center Lauri Markkanen in a trade. Markkanen is a talented 19 year old but is not a superstar player. If the Mavericks really want Markkanen, they should offer a first round draft pick along with other veterans.

NBA Rumors: “30 Or 40 Percent” Chance Dallas Mavericks Acquire Lauri Markkanen

During this free agency season, the Dallas Mavericks have lost out on a number of chances to acquire other excellent players to complement Luka Doncic. Luka Doncic needs other players to help him take part of the offensive burden off his shoulders after the playoffs. The Dallas Mavericks still have a chance to acquire Luka Doncic some assistance, despite missing out on their main targets.

Lauri Markkanen’s name has previously been connected to the team. He’s a good floor-spacing big guy with decent finishing ability. Markkanen has had an inconsequential position with the Chicago Bulls throughout his time there, and a move to the Dallas Mavericks may provide him the opportunity to play the role he desires. While there is no certainty that the Dallas Mavericks would sign him, Tim Cato of The Athletic thinks the Mavericks have a “30-40 percent probability” of doing so.

I’d also estimate Markkanen’s chances of landing in Dallas at 30 to 40 percent.

Cato also suggested two paths for the Dallas Mavericks to get Lauri Markkanen, one including the trade exception they received in the Josh Richardson deal and the other with keeping the exception but shipping away Maxi Kleber.

Dallas would love to persuade Markkanen to sign for less than his market worth — and what is market value if the market isn’t providing him with the $15 million per year he desires — and use the team’s $11 million traded player exception (TPE). That’s advantageous for two reasons: 1) there’s less pressure on Markkanen to be anything other than a useful rotational player for the team, given his shaky fit starting alongside Kristaps Porzingis, and 2) he’s an appealing player who’s still 24 and who the team could trade for a better-fitting one. Markkanen wouldn’t jump at that offer, particularly because clubs with the midlevel exemption could also offer him contracts in that area, but he may feel it’s the best business choice for him in the end. Dallas would have to give something to Chicago that would be helpful, but it would be a draft or prospect rather than a rotation player.

In a straight trade without engaging its TPE, Dallas could give Markkanen a three-year contract for $44 million and pay back roughly $10 million in compensatory compensation. I’ve heard Chicago is interested in Kleber; but, giving away a rotational player and signing Markkanen to a higher salary point would be a risky move for Dallas. It might be a worthy risk, but you’d have to persuade me to take it. In previous seasons, Kleber has been the superior player — or, at the very least, the more valuable player for a club with playoff ambitions. He’s struggled in two postseasons, although he was hurt during the Clippers’ most recent series. At that price, would you swap him and Trey Burke for Markkanen?

There’s no doubt that the Dallas Mavericks have a lot of things to consider when it comes to a possible Lauri Markkanen trade. However, the time is ticking, and if they don’t want him, another club will almost certainly come knocking. Lauri Markkanen has been connected to four other clubs in the past, including the Mavericks, in a sign-and-trade situation. It’ll be interesting to see where he ends up, but the Dallas Mavericks seem to have some choices if they want to sign him.

There’s no doubt Lauri Markkanen has a special skill set, which makes him an intriguing player for the Dallas Mavericks to target come this summer. However, Markkanen’s price tag may be too high, according to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.. Read more about lauri markkanen espn and let us know what you think.