🚨 Mock Trade Alert: Paul George to the Jazz, Lauri Markkanen to the Sixers?
The Philadelphia 76ers’ experiment with Paul George might already be coming to an end — at least in the world of trade rumors. 👀 On Wednesday, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley unveiled a list of bold trade ideas, and one of them had George headed west in exchange for Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen.
If this deal ever became reality, it would drastically reshape both rosters and spark big conversations across the NBA.
📦 The Proposed Package
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Sixers receive: Lauri Markkanen
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Jazz receive: Paul George + 2028 first-round pick (via LAC) + 2028 second-round pick (via GSW) + 2030 second-round pick (via WAS)
🔥 Why It Works for Philly
For the Sixers, this is all about fit. While George has been solid — averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in just 41 games this season — he hasn’t quite felt like the perfect puzzle piece. Markkanen, on the other hand, brings size (7’0️⃣), shooting, and versatility at the power forward spot.
Buckley points out that his ability to stretch the floor could complement Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Philly’s young wings like Jared McCain and VJ Edgecombe more naturally. Markkanen’s 19.0 PPG and 5.9 RPG last season show he’s not just a role player — he’s a proven scorer who can help balance the Sixers’ lineup.
And with Markkanen only 28, he fits both the present and the future, especially if Embiid’s long-term health remains a question mark.
🏀 Why Utah Might Roll the Dice
The Jazz are stuck in the Western Conference basement 😬, missing the playoffs for three straight years. Markkanen has been their best player, but he hasn’t lifted them back to contention. Enter George: even at 34, he’s still a nine-time All-Star and one of the league’s most respected two-way players.
Adding George could give Utah a veteran star to lead their young core, while the extra draft picks sweeten the deal. 💎 With the Clippers’ aging trio of Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Chris Paul possibly declining soon, that 2028 first-rounder could become very valuable.
🤔 Who Really Wins?
On paper, this trade looks like a bigger win for the Sixers. They’d add a younger forward, fill a hole at the 4, and keep their playoff window open without needing a full rebuild. The Jazz would gain a star name and some picks, but giving up Markkanen at his age might feel like selling too soon unless they believe George can elevate them right away.
Still, this mock trade raises a fascinating question: is Paul George’s fit in Philly temporary, and could Lauri Markkanen be the piece that unlocks the Sixers’ next era? 🔥