Lauri Markkanen says he prefers to remain with Jazz

Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen said he’s hoping to stay with the organization with which his game has flourished.

And let’s face it, the Jazz are highly likely to keep him. But this is the NBA, and unless your name is LeBron James or Stephen Curry, you stand a chance to take a spin on the rumor mill. That is where Markkanen kind of is today.

He told Sam Amick of The Athletic that he understands how to deal with it.

“I’ve been traded, I guess, technically three times with draft night included. Sometimes I knew about it. Sometimes I didn’t,” he said. “So I kind of learned the business side of basketball. I’ve kind of learned to just go day by day and really put the work in and try to play to the best of my abilities and whatever happens happens, really. Like I said, I love being in Utah and it’s a compliment of what you’ve done in the past (that teams have interest). We’ll see.

“But yeah, I just want to emphasize that I really believe in what we’re building here with the Jazz. Go day by day. Do your best. That’s all you can do.”

On the bright side, it would be a major shocker if the Jazz actually traded Markkanen this season. So he probably doesn’t have to worry about going anywhere anytime soon.

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