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Lauri Markkanen (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /

Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

As the Utah Jazz continues to rebuild, I can’t help but wonder if there’s a scenario where they could end up trading Lauri Markkanen. Or, at the very least, have a conversation about the possibility of doing so. On the surface, the knee-jerk reaction is to say no chance the Jazz will end up trading Markkanen. However, there are some signs that suggest it may be in the best interest of the Jazz to do so.

For one, Markkanen isn’t as young as you may think. He’s going to be 27 years old by the end of the season and if the Jazz isn’t close to making a push toward the playoffs, perhaps they change their hard stance against trading him. Markkanen has gotten off to another strong start this season but the Jazz is just 2-6.

If Utah is open to trading Markkanen, the Philadelphia 76ers should not waste any time to inquire. Markkanen would offer a dynamic scoring option on the wing and would elevate this team in the conference.