blockbuster deal, Lauri Markkanen was finally acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Los Angeles Lakers, who currently sit 11-9 and outside of the top six in the West, are having a strange season thus far. The Lakers, who are unable to compete with teams at a higher level, are concerned about the fact that every single one of their losses has come at the hands of a team that is above.500. The Lakers are trailing the leaders of the West after 20 games of the season due to a long list of injuries on the roster.

With an offensive rating of 111.3, which is the fourth-worst in the NBA as of right now, the Lakers’ offense has been especially poor. When LeBron isn’t playing, the Lakers just don’t have enough offensive weapons, even with D’Angelo Russell playing well.

The Lakers will be forced to part with a talented frontcourt player along with the rookie point guard they drafted this summer. The expensive pick equity can’t be ignored either, but the 27-year-old Markkanen can be the fulcrum that helps the Lakers transition from one era into the next.

The Jazz ended up with Lauri Markkanen last summer as filler in the Donovan Mitchell trade. Since then, he’s emerged as an All-Star and one of the best forwards in the NBA. He’s averaging 23.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals this season, continuing to build his reputation as one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA. The Jazz aren’t going anywhere with his exploits, sitting with a record of 6-13. He can contribute at a high level as a No. 2 or 3 option on a contender.

Rui Hachimura can help the Jazz find a solution at their wing position, playing the near seven-foot Markkanen as a small forward this season to accommodate John Collins. Hachimura can slide into the starting three while young replacements such as Brice Sensabaugh continue to develop. Hachimura is just 24 years old and still has a lot of room to grow, as his short stint on the Lakers has already proven.

Jalen-Hood Schifino adds depth to a bare point guard rotation in Utah, headlined by Collin Sexton. Former Laker Talen Horton-Tucker is also competing for guard positions, but his long-term future on the franchise is questionable given his underwhelming play so far. JHS is talented and could emerge as one of the star guards for the Jazz provided he gets the opportunity to play and develop.