Report: Jazz Taking Calls On Lauri Markkanen, Warriors, Kings, Spurs, Timberwolves Showing Most Interest

July 1, 2024

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Utah Jazz are taking trade calls on Lauri Markkanen.

NBA, Lauri Markkanen — Alex Goodlett/Getty Images

The Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves are showing the most interest in acquiring Markkanen.

“The Jazz are indeed welcoming calls on Markkanen, league sources told Yahoo Sports. … In addition to Golden State, Sacramento and San Antonio have been the two other teams characterized by league figures with knowledge of the situation as strong possible suitors for Markkanen at this point,” Fischer wrote. “For the Kings to land Markkanen, NBA personnel believe the Jazz would require Sacramento to part with Keegan Murray, and that might leave other trade options like Brandon Ingram as a more palatable outcome for the Kings. Minnesota has shown interest in Markkanen as well, sources said.”

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.

A one-time All-Star, Markkanen will make $18 million next season in the final year of his contract. He can sign an extension this offseason.

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.

“The Jazz have so far indicated to various parties around the NBA they would still like to renegotiate and extend Markkanen when the two sides become eligible to do so in August, sources said, and that listening to offers for Markkanen is just part of doing good business,” Fischer wrote.

Utah went 31-51 in 2023-24. The team was 11th in the NBA in points per game, 29th in points per game allowed, 17th in offensive rating, 30th in defensive rating and 23rd in net rating under head coach Will Hardy.