Giannis Antetokounmpo has officially asked out of Milwaukee - and just like that, one of the NBA’s most dominant forces is back on the trade market. While the usual suspects like New York, Miami, and Toronto are reportedly at the top of his list, there’s a quieter storyline brewing out West that’s worth keeping an eye on: could the Utah Jazz make a play for the two-time MVP?
It’s a long shot, sure. But there’s at least one thread of connection that gives the idea a little more weight than it might seem on the surface - and it goes back a few years to a quote Giannis gave during Lauri Markkanen’s breakout season.
“He’s going to be one of the main guys in the next couple of years that will probably be dominating the league,” Giannis said of Markkanen at the time. “So it’s great to watch him play and maybe in the future, we are teammates.”
That quote resurfaced recently, and while it’s far from a trade demand or a free agency hint, it does offer a glimpse into how highly Giannis regards Markkanen. And when you think about it from a basketball standpoint, the pairing makes a lot of sense.
Markkanen’s skill set is tailor-made to complement a player like Giannis. He’s a legit 7-footer who can stretch the floor, knock down threes, and create his own shot when needed.
That kind of spacing would open up the paint for Giannis to do what he does best - attack downhill, collapse defenses, and create chaos. And defensively?
You’re looking at two long, mobile forwards who can switch across multiple positions and wreak havoc in transition.
In fact, you could make a strong case that Giannis and Markkanen would be one of the most seamless superstar pairings in the league. Their games don’t just fit - they elevate each other. It’s the kind of duo that could give Utah its most dynamic pairing since the days of Malone and Stockton.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves - getting Giannis to Salt Lake City would be anything but simple.
For starters, the Jazz would have to construct a trade package that not only matches salary but also satisfies Milwaukee’s steep asking price. That likely means putting players like Jusuf Nurkic, Kyle Anderson, Georges Niang, and Kevin Love on the table just to make the money work. From there, it gets even more complicated.
Milwaukee isn’t just looking for expiring contracts. They’ll want future assets - and Utah does have some intriguing young pieces.
Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, and top prospect Ace Bailey would almost certainly be part of the conversation. Add in multiple first-round picks, and suddenly you’re talking about a major roster overhaul for a player who may not even commit long-term.
And that’s the real gamble here. According to reports, Giannis’ preferred destinations are the Knicks, Heat, and Raptors - not the Jazz.
So even if Utah finds a way to land him, there’s no guarantee he stays beyond this season. That’s a massive risk for a franchise that’s been carefully rebuilding and stockpiling assets.
Still, there’s a flip side to that coin. If Utah believes in the potential of a Giannis-Markkanen duo - and if they think they can sell him on the vision - this might be the kind of swing worth taking.
After all, players like Giannis don’t hit the market often. And if there’s even a sliver of mutual interest, it’s worth exploring.
The timing isn’t ideal. Utah is struggling this season, and Markkanen isn’t quite the bargain he was a couple of years ago.
But sometimes, opportunity doesn’t wait for perfect circumstances. If the Jazz want to take a leap, this could be their window - however narrow it may be.
For now, it’s all hypothetical. But if Giannis really is on the move, and if Utah is serious about building something special around Markkanen, don’t be surprised if Danny Ainge and company at least pick up the phone.