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Jazz Exec Issues Statement On Lauri Markkanen’s Future In Utah

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 2:02 PM ET

NBA reporter Keith Smith of Spotrac spoke to a Utah Jazz front office executive about Lauri Markkanen’s future with the franchise.

The Jazz acquired Markkanen from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022 in the blockbuster Donovan Mitchell trade. Markkanen signed a four-year, $195 million extension with Utah in 2024. It was a renegotiation-and-extend deal.

“We hope it will be a long one! (laughed) Seriously, we love Lauri. He’s been great since getting here and nothing will change with that. He understands what we’re doing and how this team is building. He’s ready to get back here and to get back to work for next season,” the Jazz front office executive said.

Lauri 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 All-Star, Markkanen will make $46.4 million next season. He has played for the Chicago Bulls, 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.

“We had a lot of work to do, for sure. When you have as many guys on expiring contracts as we did, plus as many young players, you have to be very proactive,” the Jazz front office executive said. “We didn’t want the older players here pushing for minutes to get their next deal, which is what they should be doing. We didn’t want the younger players getting resentful because guys who aren’t a part of our future were playing in front of them. That mindset drove some of our moves this summer.”