Lauri Markkanen Signs 5-Year, $238 Million Deal With Jazz

According to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Lauri Markkanen has signed a five-year, $238 million deal with the Utah Jazz. 

Markkanen can’t be traded during the 2024-25 season. 

“They’ve all showed their belief in me, from the ownership to the front office to Will,” Markkanen told ESPN. “It’s a comfortable environment and those guys’ resumes 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.”

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 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 in 55 games. 

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.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders and I can focus only one the main thing now: playing basketball at a high-level” Markkanen told ESPN. “I don’t stress about it, but you can’t pretend you don’t hear that stuff. It’s a good feeling knowing that I’m going to be in Utah.

“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. 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.”

The San Antonio Spurs, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings tried to trade for Markkanen, who played his college ball at Arizona.

Markkanen never wanted to leave Utah.