Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images

Utah Jazz Don’t Want to Trade Lauri Markkanen

Originally posted on Dallas Hoops Journal
By Ashish Mathur | Last updated Jul 15, 2025 1:51 PM ET

According to NBA insider Tim MacMahon of ESPN, the Utah Jazz don’t want to trade Lauri Markkanen.

The Jazz, who have parted ways with John Collins, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson this offseason, view Markkanen as a core piece.

“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 Lauri 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 appeared 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 floor, 34.6% from 3 and 87.6% from the free-throw line.

Markkanen will make $46.4 million next season. The one-time All-Star 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 in 450 games.

Markkanen won the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year Award with the Jazz, who had the worst record in the Western Conference last season. Utah drafted Rutgers guard Ace Bailey with the fifth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

“It would take quite a haul for the Jazz to consider moving Markkanen, probably requiring him to restore his value by performing well for those kinds of offers to come the Jazz’s way,” MacMahon wrote. “The hope in Utah, however, is that Markkanen is still in a Jazz uniform when the franchise eventually becomes competitive again.”