The Utah Jazz have had a busy offseason to this point with a number of gamers being traded away.
Colin Sexton, John Collins and Jordan Clarkson have been all key gamers for the Utah Jazz, however the group determined to blow the crew up this summer time.
They obtained Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson as a part of a commerce that noticed Collins transfer to the LA Clippers, however each veterans may be on their manner out.
Below the teaching of Will Hardy, the Jazz have proven plenty of promise, however nonetheless completed on the backside of the Western Convention final season.
They drafted controversial Rutgers star Ace Bailey because the fifth decide and rumors have it that they plan on persevering with to construct by the draft.
Amid all of the information across the trades, NBA Insider Brian Windhorst thinks there may be one other star that the Jazz might find yourself buying and selling to acquire a number of extra belongings.
Lauri Markkanen is without doubt one of the most gifted gamers on the Jazz roster and was concerned in a number of commerce talks final season.
Nonetheless, he signed a four-year $195 million assured contract final season, which saved him off the marketplace for at the least final season.
Markkanen, who gained the 2023 Most Improved Participant of the Yr award, didn’t have the perfect of seasons statistically with the Jazz within the 2024-25 marketing campaign.
He averaged 19 PPG, 5.9 RPG and shot solely 34.6% from three-point vary; all of that are considerably decrease than his numbers within the 2023-24 season.
Talking on his contract and future with the Jazz, Windhorst stated: “Markkanen signed an enormous contract extension earlier than final season. And you already know, from what I do know in speaking to individuals round him, his expectation was that he knew the Jazz have been rebuilding, however he was anticipating them to start out powering up.
“What it seems to be like they’re doing right here is powering to be chasing AJ Dybantsa within the draft.
“Markkanen didn’t have his finest 12 months final 12 months. I don’t know if his worth is as excessive because it was a 12 months in the past, when there have been groups just like the Golden State Warriors knocking on the Jazz’s door.
Markkanen is 28 and solely coming into his prime, which might make him extra useful for a contender as an alternative of taking part in for the Jazz.
Whereas his demand is probably not a lot as excessive as final 12 months, he might nonetheless assist contending groups together with his brilliance from three-point vary and scoring.
“However I gotta surprise what the way forward for Markkanen is. He’s bought a bunch of cash on his contract, like round 190 million over the subsequent 4 years.
“Not a clear and easy commerce, however I gotta surprise if the Jazz aren’t going to be taking some calls if not now, definitely, into this season.
“Their actions point out they’re not constructing in the direction of a crew round Lauri Markkanen,” Windhorst added.
| Season | Factors | Rebounds | Three-Level capturing |
| 2024-25 | 19 | 5.9 | 34.6% |
| 2023-24 | 23.2 | 8.2 | 39.9% |
| 2022-23 | 25.6 | 8.6 | 39.1% |
The Warriors would definitely profit from having a participant of Markkanen’s capacity, they have already got an costly roster with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, each incomes near $120 million mixed.
Moreover, they’ve a Jonathan Kuminga determination to make, which won’t be a simple one.
With all of them nonetheless on the crew, it’s tough to think about the Dubs might afford Markkanen, who is ready to earn $46.3 million subsequent 12 months.
The likes of Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets might facilitate a transfer for Markkanen, but it surely stays to be seen what the Jazz would need in change for his or her star participant.
