Report: Lauri Markkanen’s True Availability Was A ‘Mirage’

According to NBA reporter Anthony Slater of The Athletic, Lauri Markkanen‘s true availability was a “mirage.”

The Utah Jazz always intended to keep Markkanen despite having trade talks with the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings. 

“But it never reached that stage, team sources said. Markkanen signed an extension in Utah, and several sources from multiple inquiring teams said they believe, in retrospect, this was always the Jazz’s intended outcome,” Slater reported. “Markkanen’s true availability was a mirage.”

Markkanen can’t be traded during the 2024-25 season. He signed a five-year, $238 million deal with the Jazz on August 7. 

Markkanen, who had one year, $18 million left on his contract, used the Jazz’s salary cap space to increase his 2024-2025 salary and agreed on another four years and $196 million that included no player or team options.

One of the best forwards in the NBA, Markkanen 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 floor, 39.9% from beyond the arc and 89.9% from the free-throw line.

A one-time All-Star, 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.

“They’ve all showed their belief in me, from the ownership to the front office to Will (Hardy),” Markkanen told ESPN. “It’s a comfortable environment and those guys’ résumés speak for themselves. I trust in the organization to help grow me as a person and a player, to build our team, and I’m ready to take on the challenge.”

The Jazz are 54-67 with Markkanen in the lineup. 

“Once I got traded to Utah, the organization and city immediately embraced me, and it’s been a family-oriented place — especially with me having my own little kids now,” Markkanen told ESPN. “It’s been an easy transition to basketball and easy off the court. I’ve grown comfortable building all of these relationships, and it’s been a great place for me to grow as a person.”