Report: Lauri Markkanen signed extension with Jazz with understanding that team would have timely return to competing

According to NBA insiders Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Lauri Markkanen signed an extension with the Utah Jazz with the understanding that the franchise would have a timely return to competing. 

Markkanen signed a four-year, $195 million extension with the Jazz in August. It was a renegotiation-and-extend deal. 

“When Markkanen waited to sign his four-year, $220 million contract extension last August, he waited until rules prevented him from being traded this season,” Bontemps and Windhorst wrote. “But his commitment to the franchise came with an understanding, league sources said, that the Jazz would have a timely turn toward competing. For the moment, that path isn’t clear — and Markkanen can be traded after the season.”

The Jazz have the worst record in the West. They are only 15-51. 

Markkanen has appeared in 44 games this season. He’s averaging 19.2 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 42.4% from the field, 34.7% from beyond the arc and 87.2% from the free-throw line. 

A one-time NBA All-Star, Markkanen is making $42,176,400 this season. He’ll make $46,394,100 next season. The forward will become an unrestricted free agent in 2029. 

Markkanen has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz. He won the 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year Award in his first season with Utah. 

The 27-year-old Markkanen has career averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

Don’t be surprised if multiple teams try to trade for Markkanen this summer. He’s one of the best players in the NBA and the Jazz are still a ways away from making the playoffs.