The San Antonio Spurs enter the 2025-26 NBA season as one of their favorites to win a playoff spot at the Western Conference.
The San Antonio Spurs spent several years in the reconstruction phase. However, with the rise of Victor Wenbanyama, many feel that many will finally return to the title race for next season.
Alongside Wenbanyama, the Spurs have several talented stars, including Dearon Fox and Steffon Castle.
But is that enough? According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, the Spurs still need to trade for the Eurobasket star.
In the NBA, Lauri Markkanen has yet to achieve much with the Utah Jazz. However, Markanen received a breakout campaign with Finland during the 2025 Eurobasket.
Markanen’s impressive run included Nikola Djokic’s huge victory over Serbia. With that in mind, O’Connor believes the Spurs will be the perfect next destination for the 28-year-old forward.
“Lauri Markkanen is one of the kind people who’s like, if I’m a Spurs, ‘Yes, sign up for me and bring Lauri Markkanen’,” O’Connor said via Yahoo Sports.
He added: “The fire ability and ball, off-ball, movement, movement, pass and Rolimarkanen fit anywhere, bringing you exactly what the Spurs need in their shooting ability on the frontcourt.”
Markkanen averaged 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists per Finland game in Eurobasket 2025.
The 2025-26 season marks the first time Spurs fans have witnessed the healthy Fox-Wembanyama duo.
Both stars are solid upside down, but O’Connor still feels that the Spurs lack the elite shooter around them, and a deal with Markanen would fix that big flaw.
“I think they need to trade in part because of the lack of shooting. Victor and Daron Fox aren’t strong enough to be on paper, Fox’s speed downhill is attacked and Victor says he’s an alien.
“I don’t think the roster around them is what they need to get to their potential. That’s where trade has to come at some point this year or next summer,” he said.
Markanen is scheduled to be traded during the 2025-26 season, will he be the Spurs? Only time can be seen.