Report: 1 Team Interested In Lauri Markkanen Believes Jazz Will Trade Him ‘In The Near Future’

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, one team interested in Lauri Markkanen believes the Utah Jazz will trade him “in the near future.”

The Jazz are taking trade calls on Markkanen, who is in the final year of his contract. He’ll make $18 million next season.

“At least one team that has shown interest in Markkanen is projecting confidence that the Jazz will indeed trade Markkanen in the near future even if they extend him … and despite the fact that the 7-foot Finn, by all accounts, wants to stay in Salt Lake City,” Stein reported. “Reason being according to the team consulted: The challenges faced thus far in acquiring top-level players to play alongside him. That could make the trade route more attractive … especially given the projected strength of the NBA’s 2025 and 2026 drafts.”

The San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are trying to trade for Markkanen.

Markkanen is one of the top players in the NBA. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks in 2023-24 for the Jazz while shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line. 

Markkanen has career averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with Utah. 

“More than one rival team has shared the observation that it would be difficult for the Jazz to trade him in the short term — even if they wanted to — because Markkanen is entering the final season of his current contract at a mere $18 million,” Stein reported. “It obviously complicates Jazz efforts to get a trade package in return for Markkanen on the level of Brooklyn’s haul for Mikal Bridges when Markkanen is not under team control for more than a season and when his salary is relatively low. They have a much better chance to command a Bridges-style offer filled with future draft picks like New York agreed to furnish the Nets if Markkanen, 27, is signed to an extension.”