If the Utah Jazz are going to make a move involving Lauri Markkanen, it’s going to take more than just a solid player or a few draft picks. They’re holding out for a game-changer-someone with real star upside.
And that’s exactly why a name like Ausar Thompson is off-limits. He checks too many boxes for his current team.
But there is one player who could meet Utah’s high asking price: Paolo Banchero.
Now, before you scoff at the idea of Orlando moving on from their former No. 1 pick, let’s take a closer look at why this kind of blockbuster might not be as far-fetched as it seems.
The Magic are firmly in the mix in the Eastern Conference and have made it clear they’re ready to compete. They’ve already pushed chips in-most notably trading for Desmond Bane this past offseason, a move that cost them multiple first-round picks.
So if they were to pursue someone like Markkanen, it wouldn’t come cheap. We're talking about parting with either Jalen Suggs or Bane, both of whom are valuable in their own right but may not have the All-Star ceiling Utah is looking for in return.
That’s where Banchero becomes the conversation starter. He’s young, he’s already made an All-Star team, and when he’s on, he can take over a game. That’s the kind of player who fits Utah’s vision if they’re going to move a foundational piece like Markkanen.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting: since Banchero went down with an injury on November 12, the Magic have gone 6-2. It’s a small sample size, sure, but it’s enough to raise a few eyebrows. When a team starts playing better without one of its top stars, it doesn’t automatically mean that player is the problem-but it does open the door to some tough questions.
What if Orlando’s offense flows better without Banchero dominating possessions? What if the defense tightens up when he’s not on the floor? These are the kinds of internal evaluations front offices are constantly making-especially for a team that’s trying to take the next step from playoff hopeful to legitimate contender.
None of this is to say Banchero isn’t a stud. He is. But if the fit isn’t quite right in Orlando, and if the Magic believe their ceiling is higher with a different kind of star, then exploring a trade could make sense-especially before Banchero’s value takes any kind of hit.
Realistically, though, any deal involving Banchero wouldn’t happen until the offseason. He’s currently on a poison pill contract, meaning his rookie max extension doesn’t kick in until next year. That complicates trade math midseason, and it’s one reason why the Jazz would likely wait before making a serious push.
Still, there’s a lot to like for both sides if this kind of deal ever got real. For Utah, Banchero offers youth, star potential, and the kind of offensive versatility that could anchor their rebuild.
For Orlando, Markkanen brings elite shooting-something this team desperately needs. He’s not just a stretch big; he’s one of the best shooting big men in the league, and that kind of floor-spacing is a premium asset, especially next to a ball-dominant guard like Bane or a slasher like Franz Wagner.
Of course, it might take more than just Markkanen to pry Banchero loose. That’s the price of doing business when you're talking about one of the league’s brightest young stars. But if Orlando’s current core doesn’t mesh the way they hope, and if Utah is still sitting on Markkanen with eyes on the future, this could be one of those rare win-win trades that actually makes both teams better.
It’s not happening tomorrow. Maybe not even this season. But keep an eye on this one-because if the Magic’s success without Banchero isn’t a fluke, and if the Jazz are serious about maximizing Markkanen’s value, the two teams might find themselves circling back to each other come summer.