The San Antonio Spurs were urged to target All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz. Markkanen is coming off an impressive summer representing Finland in the 2025 EuroBasket.
On the September 20 episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show, the longtime writer and current podcaster examined what the Spurs need to do this upcoming season. O’Connor liked Markkanen’s fit with Victor Wembanyama, De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper. However, he’s unsure what a potential deal with the Jazz could look like.
“Lauri Markkanen is one of the types of guys that if I’m the Spurs, I’m like, ‘Yes, sign me up. Bring me Lauri Markkanen.’ Because of the shooting ability and everything he does on ball, off ball, motion, movement, passing. Like Lauri Markkanen fits anywhere and he brings exactly what the Spurs need with his shooting ability in the front court, so that’s where I kind of come down with. I think they need to trade in part because of lack the lack of shooting,” O’Connor said.
The Spurs have a stacked roster around Wembanyama, though this upcoming season will be a test on how successful they could be with their current lineup. Fox was their huge acquisition last season, Castle is the reigning Rookie of the Year and Harper is the number two pick of the 2025 NBA draft.
Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson and Julian Champagnie were also solid contributors last season. Carter Bryant could be the steal of the draft, while the addition of Kelly Olynyk and Luke Kornet gave the Spurs more frontcourt depth.
Spurs Already Found Victor Wembanyama’s Long-Term Running Mate
There’s a reason the San Antonio Spurs signed De’Aaron Fox to a four-year, $229 million extension last month. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained on the September 10 episode of NBA Today why the Spurs decided to keep Fox with a long-term deal. He has high hopes for the franchise but is not yet convinced that they’ll be a top six team in the loaded Western Conference.
“They gave De’Aaron Fox a max contract because they see him as the running mate to Victor going forward. I’m a big believer in the Spurs’ future,” Windhorst added. “I’m not sure I’m sold that this is the year they leap into the top six. But hey, you know, I’ve got a rule and I’m bringing it back this September. No ceilings on Victor Wembanyama,” Windhorst said.
Wembanyama has been impressive for the Spurs in his first two seasons. He made the All-Star leap in his second year, but it was halted by a deep vein thrombosis diagnosis that ruled him out for the second half of the season.
What Can Lauri Markkanen Bring to The Spurs?
If the San Antonio Spurs listens to Kevin O’Connor’s advice, Lauri Markkanen will provide scoring and shooting at an All-Star level. Markkanen is averaging 23.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists in his three seasons with the Utah Jazz. He’s shooting 47.3% from the field, including 38.0% from threes, and 88.3% from the free-throw line.
Markkanen is even more impressive for Finland in the 2025 EuroBasket. As per FIBA.com, he averaged 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists as Finland finished fourth in the FIBA tournament. He had a 43-point game in the preliminary round against Great Britain.
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