Lauri Markkanen Trade Rumors Aren’t Going Away Anytime Soon

MacMahon added an important caveat:

“He has to play like that to restore his value because of the contract he got. He received every penny possible in a renegotiation and extension. It’s a big, big contract.”

That tension, elite talent weighed against financial risk, sums up Utah’s dilemma. Around the league, Markkanen is viewed as “gettable,” but at a steep price.

Utah Jazz Downplay Markkanen Trade Rumors

The Jazz have consistently played down any notion of trading the 28-year-old, framing Markkanen as a central pillar of their current plans, even as they acknowledge the long-term outlook could shift. Yet the phrasing has been carefully chosen. “No plans” is not the same as “untouchable.” As ESPN reported, “That is not Utah’s intention… 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.”

That reality is not lost on Jazz fans. Discussion on Reddit’s r/UtahJazz has largely leaned toward keeping Markkanen as the centerpiece, but a few posters admitted that a ‘godfather offer’ could shift the team’s direction. One commenter wrote, “It doesn’t make sense to trade him unless it’s a godfather offer.”

Spurs and Warriors: Two Different Paths, Same Target

For San Antonio, the appeal is obvious. A frontcourt of Wembanyama and Markkanen would speed up the Spurs’ rise while keeping their young core intact. According to reporting from The Stein Line (via SLCDunk), San Antonio was among the teams that showed interest in Markkanen last summer, and that interest could resurface if Utah shows any willingness to engage.

The Warriors’ situation is more urgent. With Klay Thompson gone and Jonathan Kuminga’s contract extension looming, Golden State is searching for stability around Stephen Curry’s final prime years. Markkanen’s size, shooting, and All-Star pedigree make him an ideal fit in Steve Kerr’s system. As noted by Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, the Warriors were among the teams that explored the possibility of adding Markkanen in the past and could revisit the idea.

These Markkanen trade rumors linking him to the Spurs and Warriors may only intensify as the season approaches.

EuroBasket Could Shift Markkanen’s Trade Value

Ironically, Markkanen’s international play may reshape his market value before the NBA season even begins. The Finnish star through four games has averaged nearly 30 points on close to 50/40/90 splits, reminding everyone of the scoring punch that made him an All-Star two years ago.

For Utah, Markkanen’s performance cuts both ways. If he keeps playing at such a high level, Utah could face a dilemma. On one hand, he looks like the kind of star you build around; on the other, his value on the trade market might never be higher, making him the kind of piece that could headline a franchise-shifting deal.

What Happens Next?

The safe bet is that Utah holds onto Markkanen into the season. With three years left on his contract, the Jazz have little reason to rush. But history suggests that if the team stumbles toward the bottom of the West, rival front offices will be making calls well before the deadline.

In the meantime, fans in San Antonio and Golden State will be watching closely from EuroBasket stat lines to every Jazz press conference for clues about his future. For Utah, the decision is less about sentiment than leverage: keep building around their lone All-Star, or see how far other teams are willing to go in trade talks. The level of outside interest may decide the answer for them.