Reports: Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks reportedly discussed a Trae Young trade amid Lauri Markkanen trade rumors.

Utah Jazz and Atlanta Hawks reportedly discussed a Trae Young trade amid Lauri Markkanen trade rumors.

Yahoo Sports sources say the Jazz are entertaining Markkanen offers. Utah may have a similar offseason to Brooklyn, where the Nets considered adding star talent alongside Mikal Bridges before deciding to rebuild after a huge haul from New York. The Jazz were considering dealing for Bridges, had discussions with Atlanta about Dejounte Murray and Trae Young, and were assembling a Markkanen-centered group that would have caught George’s interest, sources told Yahoo Sports.

Young and Dejounte Murray’s long-rumored separation was ultimately confirmed when the Hawks traded Murray to the New Orleans Pelicans. That move likely reduced Young’s likelihood of leaving town. After next season, Markkanen will enter free agency and earn $18 million. The Jazz must decide whether to extend his deal or trade the 27-year-old to prevent losing him in free agency. Fischer said the Jazz’s primary priority is re-signing Markkanen, but trade talk hasn’t stopped. Utah may be looking for a Godfather offer like the Knicks gave the Brooklyn Nets for Mikal Bridges.

This new round of Markkanen trade talks may be the Jazz trying to gather information from interested clubs or soliciting an extravagant offer like the five first-round picks and an unprotected pick swap from the Knicks for Bridges. Sources stated the Jazz have told NBA parties they want to renegotiate and extend Markkanen in August and that listening to bids is part of doing smart business. Teams should be interested in Markkanen, who made his All-Star Game debut and won the league’s Most Improved Player title in 2022-23.

Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, and Minnesota are “characterized by league figures with knowledge of the situation as strong possible suitors for Markkanen at this point,” according to Fischer. If the Hawks trade Young now, they’re rebuilding and breaking apart. Since Murray is out of town, rumors of him leaving have calmed down, and Atlanta may just reset his roster.