Lauri Markkanen could be game-changing acquisition for NBA contender

This season, there's no NBA teamthat seems poised to breeze through the postseason. However, thereare a number of legitimate championship contenders and a multitudeof organizations that are a single piece away from joining thattier.

As the NBA's Feb. 8 tradedeadline approaches, the most intriguing target for these teams isUtah Jazz star forward Lauri Markkanen. The All-Star is averaging23.6 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.2 threes on 49.4% shooting from thefield and 38.5% from three-point range in 27 games thisseason.

The Jazz are reportedly willingto have conversations involving Markkanen, although their askingprice is significant. Expect plenty of front offices to expressinterest in the forward over the next month.

If Utah decides to moveMarkkanen, the Oklahoma City Thunder would be a perfect landingspot. With the second-best record in the Western Conference, OKC isalready seen as a contender, but the reigning Most Improved Playercould put them over the hump. Their core is highlighted bysuperstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, center Chet Holmgren and forwardJalen Williams. This trio fuels one of the highest-powered offensesin the league, ranking in the top five in many statisticalcategories. The addition of Markkanen would provide scoring andsize to one of the NBA’s biggest lineups. Not to mention, he fitstheir timeline perfectly since he's only 26 years old.

The Miami Heat could make senseas a trade partner for Utah as well. Miami’s roster is filled witha mix of veterans and young talent. Forward Jimmy Butler is pasthis prime at 34 years old, while Bam Adebayo (26 years old), TylerHerro (23 years old) and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (22 years old) aresignificantly younger. Markkanen could balance their eras,excelling them into Eastern Conference contention with theMilwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics this season while also fittingalongside Adebayo, Herro, Jaquez and Co. going forward. Pat Rileyis constantly star hunting, so this kind of move wouldn't be asurprise.

There are quite a few contendersthat could use Markkanen, as his skill-set allows him to fitseamlessly with virtually every team.

One non-playoff team that couldbe a fascinating destination for Markkanen is San Antonio, where hewould be paired with No. 1 overall pick Victor Wembanyama. The20-year-old from France is one of the most exciting prospects inNBA history. He has not disappointed early in his career, as he isaveraging 19.2 points and 10.1 rebounds. The Spurs have a historyof developing big men into superstars, including Tim Duncan andDavid Robinson. Getting Wemby some help could speed up the Spurs'plan and allow them to maximize the final years of Gregg Popovich'scoaching career.

Markkanen is a diverse offensiveweapon who thrives on all three levels. His height allows him tofinish inside the paint without a strength-based style of play. Aminimal amount of his shots come in the mid-range, but he has thetalent to knock them down efficiently. He's a 7-footer who canknock down threes at a near-40% clip, which is somewhat rare forsomeone his size.

He uses his various methods ofscoring to his advantage by exhibiting a balanced approach onoffense. This season, 41.7% of his points come from two-pointers,while 40.9% are three-pointers. Markkanen tends to perform betteras an off-ball scorer, with 82.7% of his points coming off assists.This ability to play alongside other stars makes him even moreattractive to playoff teams, as they already have studs who demandthe ball in their hands.

While his stats have slightlydecreased this year because of fewer minutes and a lower usagerate, it's worth pointing out that Markkanen still accounts formore than a fourth of Utah’s made field goals.

It remains to be seen if theJazz will seriously consider moving Markkanen, but plenty ofplayoff teams will pick up the phone if he's put on the tradeblock.