Lauri Markkanen Open To Staying With Jazz Amid Rebuilding Effort

Lauri Markkanen saw his name as one of the most frequently mentioned in trade rumors last offseason before the Utah Jazz forward chose stability over speculation.

Markkanen signed a renegotiated and extended contract with the Jazz on Aug. 7, a move that made him ineligible to be traded for the rest of the 2023-24 season. That pause from the rumor mill may be short-lived.

After a league-worst 17-65 finish, Utah faces a critical offseason, and trade chatter around the All-Star forward could resume. Still, Markkanen expressed a desire this week to remain with the Jazz, even if the organization continues down a rebuilding path.

“I feel like what I did last summer with signing here, that kind of tells you the confidence I have in the organization and the guys we have,” Markkanen said, via Sarah Todd of the Deseret News. “I love being in Utah. We’ll see what happens in summer, there’s things that you can’t control, but I love being here and working out with the guys that we have and building this thing.”

Markkanen, 26, was limited to 47 games due to injuries—his fewest in seven NBA seasons. He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.4 minutes per game while shooting 42.3% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc.

He hasn’t played since March 17 because of a left knee issue. However, Markkanen said he expects to be healthy in time to represent Finland in EuroBasket this summer.

“We have a big summer with the national team, and I’m excited for that,” he said. “In previous years those are the years I’ve always felt the best, physically and mentally, to be honest. Because you’re getting game reps right before the NBA season starts.”

Utah’s struggles this season prompted the organization to lean into youth development and lottery positioning. The Jazz were fined $100,000 in March for violating the NBA’s player participation policy.

Markkanen’s long-term future in Utah remains uncertain. His contract runs through the 2028-29 season, but his age and the team’s timeline could lead to renewed trade interest. Jazz general manager Justin Zanik didn’t rule out discussions but emphasized Markkanen’s value to the franchise.

“We’ll see when opportunities come up to add to the roster, but I see Lauri as a central part of what we’re doing, that’s why we signed him,” Zanik said. “We think he can be a huge piece for us as we join the competitive rings.”