Jazz Don’t Intend To Trade Lauri Markkanen

The Utah Jazz don’t intend to trade Lauri Markkanen, according to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN. 

The Jazz have been busy this offseason. They traded John Collins to the Los Angeles Clippers and Collin Sexton to the Charlotte Hornets and waived Jordan Clarkson, who signed with the New York Knicks. 

Utah still views Markkanen as a key player in its future core.

“The Jazz have parted ways with veterans Jordan Clarkson, John Collins and Collin Sexton this summer, clearing the way for Utah’s collection of young picks to develop and be evaluated during another season that is likely to end with the best possible lottery odds,” MacMahon wrote. “This has prompted 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.

“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.”

Markkanen played in 47 games for the Jazz last season. He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks while shooting 42.3% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line. 

A one-time NBA All-Star, Markkanen will make $46.4 million next season. He has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz, compiling career averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks. 

The 28-year-old Markkanen won the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with the Jazz, who had the worst record in the West last season.

Utah drafted Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. 

“Utah listened to offers for Markkanen last summer, but none of the talks with other teams ever came close to tempting CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik to make a trade,” MacMahon wrote. “The Jazz ultimately awarded Markkanen a five-year, $238 million maximum renegotiation and extension, allowing him to sign the deal last Aug. 7 and making him ineligible to be traded before last season’s deadline.”