The NBA has seen several blockbuster trades executed this offseason, but the Utah Jazz haven’t been involved in either sending
The NBA has seen several blockbuster trades executed this offseason, but the Utah Jazz haven’t been involved in either sending out or adding star talent. That’s despite some strong interest in trading for Lauri Markkanen.
While teams may be interested in the one-time All-Star power forward, the Jazz don’t appear any closer to trading their Finnish marksman.
According to ESPN’s NBA expert Tim MacMahon, the Jazz have no plans to trade the 28-year-old this offseason.
“A lot of scouts and executives to wonder whether the Jazz would trade 28-year-old Markkanen next, as new president of basketball operations Austin Ainge takes over as the primary decision-maker in the franchise’s rebuild.
ESPN on Lauri Markkanen trade
That is not Utah’s intention, sources told ESPN. It would be too much to describe Markkanen as untouchable, but the Jazz still project the All-Star forward as a key player in their future core.”
The Jazz have already traded the likes of Collin Sexton and John Collins, which fueled speculation that Markkanen could be next. Yet that doesn’t seem to be in Utah’s cards, at least not this offseason.
Markkanen is entering the first season of a four-year, $195 million contract with the Jazz, where he’ll earn a salary of $46.3 million during the 2025-26 season. Yet, instead of the Jazz trying to trade him for the best package available, Utah would prefer to see how competitive they can be at the start of the season first.
Who knows? Perhaps a Markkanen trade is revisited ahead of the trade deadline, but for now, he appears to be off-limits.
Related: NBA Reportedly Canceled Utah Jazz’s Plans with Ace Bailey
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Category: General Sports
