The Houston Rockets are projected to slay the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs, according to Charles Barkley, but that did not happen after their Game 7 loss. Now, they are evaluating some options that could bolster their championship campaign next year.
According to the latest rumors, Houston could make a huge offseason move by negotiating with the Utah Jazz to get star forward Lauri Markkanen.
Houston Could Rely on Lauri as an Offensive Upgrade
According to Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, Markkanen is not only a proven scorer but a near-elite offensive weapon who could transform Houston's frontcourt tempo.
Averaging 24.5 points per game on efficient 49/39.5/88.5 shooting splits over the past two seasons, the Finnish big man has displayed consistent production, even with the Jazz not contending in the West.
Detractors might contend that his stats are padded because he played for a rebuilding Utah team. Yet, the challenge of sustaining such scoring efficiency across several seasons cannot be ignored.
Buckley highlights Markkanen's capacity to excel without being ball-dominant, a perfect attribute for Houston's roster composition at present.
Fit With Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green
Enhancing offensive firepower while not upsetting player development for Alperen Şengün and Jalen Green is one of the main objectives of one of the Rockets' key ambitions.
Markkanen, not requiring heavy usage to contribute, provides the ideal combination of scoring and spacing. Sports Illustrated reports that his floor-stretching shooting from the perimeter creates space for Şengün in the paint, and his versatility lets Green keep developing as a primary ball-handler.
If Green is brought back this offseason, Markkanen would easily fit in as an explosive frontcourt mate. Alternatively, if the Rockets shop around for trade options on Green due to this inconsistency, bringing Markkanen on board gives them a proven scorer to ensure offensive consistency.
Mismatch Nightmare and Defensive Potential
Measuring 7 feet tall with perimeter ability, Markkanen is a nightmare matchup. He's too quick for most bigs on the perimeter and too powerful for smaller defenders down low. His offensive arsenal makes him one of the toughest forwards to defend in the league.
While not renowned as a defensive anchor, Markkanen's athleticism and size continue to contribute on that side of the floor. With a Rockets offense that prioritizes athletic versatility and switchability, his addition would be an interesting fit for the team's emerging defensive identity under head coach Ime Udoka.
Contract and Trade Considerations
Markkanen is signed for an additional four years at $195.9 million, as per Spotrac. Although that amount is large, it is in line with the market rate for elite forwards in the current NBA.
More crucially, Markkanen's existing alignment with Utah's timeline is uncertain. Utah is deep into its rebuild and might be willing to trade the 27-year-old forward for draft capital and youthful assets.
Markkanen was previously linked to a 76ers trade rumor.
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