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San Antonio Spurs told to make big trade to acquire EuroBasket sensation, ‘Sign me up’

Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Aikansh Chaudhary | Last updated Sep 22, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The San Antonio Spurs will enter the 2025-26 NBA season as among the favorites to clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The San Antonio Spurs have spent several years in a rebuilding phase. But with the rise of Victor Wembanyama, many feel that the Spurs will finally be back in title contention next season.

Alongside Wembanyama, the Spurs have several talented stars, including De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Castle.

But is it enough? Well, according to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Spurs still need to trade for a EuroBasket star.

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San Antonio Spurs urged to trade for Lauri Markkanen

In the NBA, Lauri Markkanen has yet to accomplish much with the Utah Jazz. However, Markkanen had a breakout campaign with Finland during the 2025 EuroBasket.

Markkanen’s impressive run included a humongous victory over Nikola Jokic’s Serbia. Keeping that in mind, O’Connor believes that the Spurs will be the perfect next destination for the 28-year-old forward.

“Lauri Markkanen is one of those types of guys that, if I’m the Spurs, I’m like, ‘Yes, sign me up, bring me Lauri Markkanen,'” O’Connor said, via Yahoo Sports.

He added: “Because of the shooting ability and everything he does on ball, off ball, motion, movement, passing, Lauri Markkanen fits anywhere, and he brings exactly what the Spurs need with his shooting ability in the frontcourt.”

Markkanen averaged 23.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game for Finland during EuroBasket 2025.

Lauri Markkanen will fit with De’Aaron Fox-Victor Wembanyama duo, says Kevin O’Connor

The 2025-26 season will be the first time Spurs fans will witness a healthy Fox-Wembanyama duo.

While both stars have solid upside, O’Connor still feels that the Spurs lack elite shooters around them, and trading for Markkanen would fix that massive flaw.

“I think they need the trade in part because of the lack of shooting. Victor and De’Aaron Fox aren’t going to be as potent as they should be able to be on paper, with Fox’s speed downhill attacking, and Victor being the alien that he is; those guys should be one of the best combinations in the league.

“I don’t think the roster around them is quite exactly what it needs to be for them to reach their potential, and that’s where trade is going to have to come in at some point this year or next summer,” he stated.

Markkanen is expected to be traded during the 2025-26 season, but will he end up on the Spurs? Only time will tell.

This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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