‘Overlooked’ suitor for LaVine; Jazz put huge asking price on Markkanen: NBA Rumour Mill

Zach LaVine would be reportedly “very amenable” to a move to the Sacramento Kings.

That’s according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, who reports the Chicago Bulls star would be open to teaming up with De’Aaron Fox, with the duo sharing the same agency, Klutch Sports.

LaVine, who’s currently sidelined with a foot injury, is reportedly on the trade block amid the Bulls’ hapless 10-17 start to the season.

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Both the Philadelphia 76ers and LA Lakers have already been linked to LaVine and are seen as potential suitors should Chicago indeed trade the star shooting guard. But Amick reports the Kings are also very much in the mix.

“For all the public focus on the prospect of James and Davis teaming up with LaVine with the Lakers, the overlooked part is that Kings star De’Aaron Fox is a major priority for Klutch Sports these days as well. Per league sources, LaVine would be very amenable to a Sacramento move that would make him Fox’s backcourt mate,” Amick wrote in The Athletic.

LaVine has been below his best form this season, averaging 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists across 19 games before his injury. He’s in the second-year of a five-season, $215 million contract.

He’s expected to return to the court around mid January.

JAZZ PUT HUGE PRICE ON MARKKANEN

The Utah Jazz have reportedly put a huge price tag on Lauri Markannen.

According to The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor, the Jazz would want a haul similar to what they received for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, which is in the vicinity of five first-round picks.

“My impression from talking to teams is that it’s something resembling the haul the Jazz received for (Donovan) Mitchell and (Rudy) Gobert: so, five-ish firsts and/or players of comparable value,” O’Connor wrote.

“Utah might determine Markkanen looks best as part of its own future. But with so many teams likely having interest and having the assets to make intriguing offers, we know that Jazz are at least willing to listen.”

It comes after Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer revealed last week Utah has left an impression on teams that Markkanen could be acquired by the deadline, though it was unlikely given the high asking price for the 26-year old.

Utah is 9-17 in a disappointing start to the season, with the franchise seen aa potential sellers ahead of the deadline to

Markkanen is in the third season of a now bargain four-year, $67.5 million deal after his breakout 2022/23 All-Star campaign for the Jazz after moving from Cleveland in the Mitchell train.

The Finnish forward has averaged 25.2 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 39.1 per cent from beyond the arc through his two seasons in Utah.