Regardless of Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen turning into a lightning rod for NBA commerce rumors not too long ago, with the Golden State Warriors strongly linked, he’s anticipated to stay in Salt Lake Metropolis for the foreseeable future.
In response to The Athletic, Markkanen is “anticipated to agree to an enormous, long-term contract extension, deliberate to be signed Wednesday or later, making him ineligible to be traded for the complete 2024-25 season.” The brand new contract will likely be price over $200 million over 5 years.
Markkanen was getting into the ultimate yr of his present contract and was the topic of commerce hypothesis all through the summer time, regardless that the Jazz didn’t readily make him obtainable. He turned eligible to signal an extension on Tuesday, and the timing of any potential deal was important.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
Because of the Collective Bargaining Settlement (CBA), the Jazz can’t commerce Markkanen for six months after re-signing him. If he had signed on Tuesday, Utah may have moved him on the day of the 2025 commerce deadline. Signing on Wednesday or later means he’s locked in for the 2024-25 season.
The Jazz completed 31-51 in a loaded Western Convention, however the competitors is barely getting stronger. With prime expertise anticipated within the 2025 NBA Draft, groups are inspired to contemplate a complete rebuild, together with the Jazz being a logical group to take action. Buying and selling Markkanen would solely assist these efforts to backside out.
Markkanen had the most effective season of his profession in 2022-23, averaging 25.6 factors and eight.6 rebounds whereas capturing 39.1 % from past the arc. His efficiency earned him his first All-Star nod and the NBA’s Most Improved Participant award. This previous yr, he continued to impress, averaging 23.2 factors, 8.2 rebounds, and a pair of.0 assists. He shot 48.0% from the ground and 39.9% on threes whereas being one of many highest-volume perimeter shooters within the league.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
Markkanen’s mixture of capturing prowess and perimeter expertise, for his dimension, would make him a worthwhile commerce goal for a lot of successful groups to watch earlier than he’s eligible to be moved. Nonetheless, that additionally makes him an intriguing potential expertise to have as one of many foundational skills to construct round.
Utah Jazz stay a rebuilding group
Earlier than becoming a member of the Jazz, the 27-year-old Markkanen typically performed a fringe position and didn’t persistently take pleasure in a ball-dominant place. Nonetheless, after the trades of Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, Markkanen had extra freedom and confirmed he might be far more than a stretch 4 as the main focus of the group’s half-court offense. He’s thrived with many off-ball actions that leverage his motion-shooting capacity, permitting him to show the nook to assault the paint.
Within the aftermath of the Mitchell commerce, a lot of the main focus was on the three first-round picks and two first-round decide swaps Utah acquired. Markkanen was not initially seen because the headliner, however he may develop into Gobert and Mitchell’s most dear asset from the mixed returns.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
The Jazz are actually in a fantastic place to make Markkanen a long-term cornerstone or doubtlessly flip him down the street for extra picks to gasoline their ongoing rebuild. Regardless that they can’t commerce him this season, the Jazz can revisit the choice subsequent summer time. Regardless, they’re doubtless a lottery group, with or with out him.
Need the newest NBA evaluation, breaking information, and insider info? Click on Right here. Observe NBA Evaluation Community on Twitter and Fb.
Concerned about studying the newest storylines and evaluation within the NFL? Try our associate NFL Evaluation Community.
