The Los Angeles Lakers have shaken up the NBA landscape once again with a blockbuster trade that sends Finnish sensation Lauri Markkanen to Hollywood in a deal that signals both a bold win-now move for L.A. and a dramatic reshuffling of priorities for the Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks. The full trade sees the Hawks receive Jarred Vanderbilt, while the Jazz walk away with Austin Reaves, Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, rookie Dalton Knecht, the Lakers’ unprotected 2031 first-round pick, and an unprotected 2032 pick swap. On paper, it’s the type of deal that reverberates across the league—not just for its magnitude but for what it says about each franchise’s direction.
For the Lakers, this is more than a splash—it’s a tidal wave. Markkanen, coming off back-to-back seasons of All-Star-level production with Utah, is arguably the most complete offensive forward the Lakers have had alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis since James arrived in L.A. Standing at 7 feet with a quick release, a deadly perimeter shot, and the mobility to create his own looks, Markkanen fills the Lakers’ dire need for a third star who can space the floor and alleviate scoring pressure. With LeBron’s twilight years ticking away and Davis in his prime, the acquisition clearly signals that Rob Pelinka and the front office are once again going all-in.
Markkanen’s fit in Darvin Ham’s system is nearly seamless. He offers a dynamic pick-and-pop partner for both LeBron and AD while having the ability to stretch defenses beyond the arc, something the Lakers lacked consistently in 2024-25. Averaging over 23 points per game with efficient shooting splits and underrated rebounding ability, Markkanen instantly upgrades the Lakers’ offensive ceiling. He can operate both as a secondary scorer and as a primary option in non-LeBron minutes, giving the team crucial flexibility. Moreover, his age—just 27—means he can carry the torch for the post-LeBron era as Davis’s co-star.
The cost, however, was steep. The Lakers gave up a major part of their young core in Austin Reaves, who had grown into a reliable two-way player and occasional secondary playmaker. Reaves’ departure will be felt deeply, both in terms of chemistry and production. Gabe Vincent, while limited by injuries in his first season with the Lakers, was expected to be a solid rotation piece in the upcoming campaign. Maxi Kleber, acquired from Dallas in a previous deal, was seen as a valuable stretch big and versatile defender. Dalton Knecht, the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, impressed in Summer League and was widely considered a steal with future starting potential. All of these players now head to Utah, a franchise clearly signaling that it’s pivoting toward asset accumulation and a long-term rebuild.
Jazz GM Justin Zanik made the decision to part with the franchise’s best player in Markkanen, knowing full well the implications. However, by securing two unprotected future assets from a Lakers team built around aging superstars, Utah is betting that those picks could become gold by the time 2031 and 2032 arrive. Reaves gives them a plug-and-play starter, while Knecht adds upside as a sharpshooting wing. Kleber brings veteran experience and floor-spacing, and Vincent—assuming he can stay healthy—can be a steadying force for a developing backcourt.
This is not unfamiliar territory for the Jazz. Just a couple of years ago, they unloaded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert for an avalanche of picks and prospects. While Markkanen was their unexpected gem in the aftermath, Utah now appears to be recommitting to the long game. With a loaded 2025 NBA Draft class on the horizon and the ability to develop Reaves and Knecht in featured roles, the Jazz are in no rush to contend immediately. Instead, they’ve accumulated yet another war chest of draft capital and young pieces, echoing the patient path taken by teams like Oklahoma City and San Antonio.
Atlanta’s involvement in the trade was minimal but intriguing. By receiving Jarred Vanderbilt, the Hawks obtain a rugged, defensive-minded forward who fits their vision of becoming more versatile on the perimeter. Vanderbilt, when healthy, is a strong rebounder and a willing on-ball pest. Atlanta’s decision to insert themselves into this three-team deal is likely tied to cost-cutting, future flexibility, and finding a niche role player who can complement stars like Trae Young and Dejounte Murray—or be moved again in a future deal as they retool around either or both.
From a league-wide perspective, this trade alters the power balance in the Western Conference. While the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves continue to pose major threats, the Lakers now boast a top-tier trio with the versatility to adapt to multiple playoff matchups. The West had already grown more competitive with Sacramento, Oklahoma City, and Phoenix surging, but adding Markkanen to an already formidable team gives the Lakers another dimension they lacked during last season’s uneven playoff exit.
The key to the success of this deal for L.A., of course, will be health and chemistry. Markkanen missed portions of the past season due to injury, and Davis has always carried injury-related question marks. If those two, along with LeBron, can stay on the court together, the Lakers will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. A closing lineup of LeBron, Davis, Markkanen, D’Angelo Russell, and Rui Hachimura or Spencer Dinwiddie could be lethal, particularly in transition and in clutch situations.
Financially, the Lakers are now even more locked into a top-heavy roster, which raises questions about depth and the luxury tax. With the new collective bargaining agreement imposing harsher penalties for teams that exceed the second apron, the front office will have to get creative in finding minimum contracts, veteran ring-chasers, and developing G-League talent to fill out the bench. But Pelinka has shown a willingness to gamble on top-end talent, and this trade is the ultimate example of betting on the stars.
Fan reaction has been predictably divided. Lakers fans are excited about adding a player of Markkanen’s caliber but emotional about losing Reaves, who had grown into a fan favorite. Reaves’ scrappy play, fearless drives, and late-game heroics earned him the nickname “Hillbilly Kobe” and made him a symbol of the Lakers’ undrafted success stories. His departure underscores just how committed the front office is to competing for a title right now. On the flip side, Utah fans may be disappointed to see Markkanen leave, but the return package—especially the unprotected picks and Knecht’s upside—offers legitimate hope for a strong foundation in the coming years.
As for Markkanen, he now steps into the brightest spotlight of his career. While he flourished in Utah with more offensive freedom, playing alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis means sacrificing some touches for the greater good. How he adjusts to that—and whether he can thrive under championship-level scrutiny—will be one of the biggest storylines of the season. But Markkanen has shown maturity, resilience, and a relentless work ethic since arriving in the NBA. In many ways, his game is tailor-made for today’s league and the Lakers’ high-octane ambitions.
This move also puts pressure on the Lakers’ coaching staff to maximize their new core. Darvin Ham now has the responsibility of blending talent, managing egos, and ensuring that spacing and defense don’t suffer in the name of star power. If the pieces fit, the Lakers will have arguably their best chance since 2020 to hoist another Larry O’Brien Trophy. If they don’t, the loss of Reaves and two future picks will haunt the franchise long after LeBron’s final fadeaway.
For the moment, though, the message is clear: the Lakers are going for it. Again. And in the ever-changing chessboard of the NBA, the addition of Lauri Markkanen might just be the move that tips the balance in their favor.
