KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL TRADE
The purpose of this post is not to explain or describe a trade scenario. Instead, it is dedicated to asking a question regarding these two players, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz and Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets.
QUESTION: On the open NBA trade market, who has greater trade value - Lauri Markkanen or Mikal Bridges?
If a hypothetical NBA team is interested in the services of both Lauri Markkanen and Mikal Bridges and had just enough assets for one of them, which player would they end up paying more for -Lauri Markkanen or Mikal Bridges? Why? I appreciate feedback on this matter, and will outline cases for each player as well as an in-depth analysis of their respective skillsets as well as potential intriguing landing spots in the event that they were to be traded by their respective organizations, although this appears to be unlikely for reasons I will soon explain.
CASE FOR LAURI MARKKANEN
Having recently made the 2023 NBA All-Star game and having won Most Improved Player for the 2022-23 NBA season, Lauri Markkanen's impact to any NBA team is indisputable. As a seasoned 20 point per game scorer over the course of the past two NBA seasons (including this current ongoing season), Lauri Markkanen is emerging as a star player and key contributor. Currently, he is the face of the franchise for the Jazz, and has broken out in Utah ever since he was traded to the Jazz after leaving Cleveland in the trade that brought him to Utah when the Jazz traded Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers. As a 7-foot sharpshooter in an increasingly perimeter-oriented NBA, Lauri Markkanen will fit on the vast majority of NBA teams as a big who can shoot by spacing the floor for slashers and also forming a complementary frontcourt for whatever center he pairs with in the vast majority of cases. Furthermore, Lauri Markkanen is a quality rebounder, as he has consistently averaged 8 rebounds a game his past two seasons with the Jazz and averaged 9 rebounds a game in his sophomore season during his tenure with the Bulls. All in all, here are key qualities of Lauri Markkanen and arguments as to why he has more trade value, as it pertains to this specific comparison:
One-time All-Star
Most Improved Player winner
Frontcourt versatility
Age (currently 26 and fits the timeline of both young rebuilding teams looking to make the jump and current contenders as a younger player as well)
Rare archetype as a 7-foot sharpshooter in an increasingly perimeter-oriented NBA
CASE FOR MIKAL BRIDGES
Mikal Bridges is a standout 3 & D wing who has playoff experience and a style of play which is built and perfect for playoff basketball. In today's NBA, perimeter defense and three-point shooting are arguably two of the most important qualities that any given player can have, and Mikal Bridges possesses both of them. As a result, his value escalates and rises exponentially to whatever team looking to acquire him, given how much he can help any NBA team. Although he is not an All-Star like Lauri Markkanen, his style of play and how well it translates to postseason settings massively raise his trade value. Moreover, similar to Lauri Markkanen on the Jazz, ever since the Nets acquired him in the trade which sent Kevin Durant to Phoenix (just like how the Jazz acquired Lauri Markkanen in the trade which sent Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland), Mikal Bridges has broken out and has evolved into a 20 point per game scorer with high-quality defense as a first option in Brooklyn. The catch phrase and new nickname for Mikal Bridges by the moniker and nickname, "Brooklyn Bridges", has captivated Nets fans worldwide. By all indications, similar to Utah's approach with Lauri Markkanen, the Nets' front office, led by general manager Sean Marks, seems to be fully invested in and dedicated to building around Mikal Bridges. However, one question remains going forward for the Nets and Brooklyn's brain trust - is Mikal Bridges a star that you can build around or a high-level complementary piece with a massive impact on playoff basketball just like he was for the Suns next to Devin Booker in Phoenix? That question remains to be answered. All in all, here are key qualities of Mikal Bridges and arguments as to why he has more trade value, as it pertains to this specific comparison:
Extremely valuable archetype as a 3 & D wing in today's NBA
Value and impact translate perfectly into postseason settings
Fits like a glove with most NBA players and in a variety of different NBA schemes
Playoff experience and has played in the Finals before, when the Suns played against the Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals
Has made an NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2022
Now, let us delve into a playstyle and player profile analysis of both Lauri Markkanen and Mikal Bridges as well as two intriguing landing spots for each player, in the event (albeit unlikely based on the latest reports as of right now) that Lauri Markkanen is traded by the Jazz and/or Mikal Bridges is traded by the Nets in the near future.
ANALYSIS OF LAURI MARKKANEN AND LAURI MARKKANEN'S LANDING SPOTS
Lauri Markkanen is an elite 7-foot stretch four. Ever since he entered the NBA after the conclusion of his freshman season at the University of Arizona, Lauri Markkanen has drawn comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki. His skillset and overall style of play parallel with everything Dirk Nowitzki was known for during his playing days. Furthermore, a combination of situation (issues with the Bulls' front office and coaching staff during his tenure in Chicago) and fit (playing alongside two other bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen in Cleveland) has prevented Lauri Markkanen from reaching his potential. Now, on the Jazz, in a different situation where he is in the spotlight, Lauri Markkanen has broken out in Utah as Utah's linchpin and Utah's franchise player. Two intriguing landing spots for Lauri Markkanen would be the Oklahoma City Thunder (Lauri Markkanen and Chet Holmgren would form an amazing and intriguing 7-foot versatile stretch frontcourt in Oklahoma City) and the San Antonio Spurs (Lauri Markkanen and Victor Wembanyama would form a spectacular and unreal 7-foot versatile stretch frontcourt in San Antonio), regardless of whether or not a trade occurs involving Lauri Markkanen.
ANALYSIS OF MIKAL BRIDGES AND MIKAL BRIDGES'S LANDING SPOTS
Mikal Bridges is an accomplished and adept 6'6" 3 & D wing who has had a massive amount of success at every level of basketball he has played. At Villanova during his college days, Mikal Bridges was a central part in the Villanova Wildcats winning two NCAA championships. Furthermore, he was lauded for his defense and was always regarded as a quality shooter, which are the two most important traits in today's NBA, like Klay Thompson and Khris Middleton. After he was drafted and traded to the Suns, he has been extremely successful on the Suns as well, playing next to a star guard in Devin Booker. In Phoenix, he made it to the 2021 NBA Finals while complementing Devin Booker perfectly. Ever since he was traded for Kevin Durant, his game has only grown even further in Brooklyn. The Nets are currently building around Mikal Bridges as well, until further notice. Mikal Bridges is Brooklyn's best player, easily. Two intriguing landing spots for Mikal Bridges would be the Houston Rockets (this has been discussed in trade talks of late as well) and the Orlando Magic (Mikal Bridges fits extremely well as an off-ball threat next to Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero in Orlando and fits Orlando's identity as a defensive-minded team), regardless of whether or not a trade occurs involving Mikal Bridges.
With all of this being said, which player do you believe has greater trade value between Lauri Markkanen and Mikal Bridges? Why? I appreciate feedback and would like to understand in detail about whose overall trade value is higher.