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Oct 28, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Utah Jazz at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Utah Jazz's Lauri Markkanen Addresses Lingering Trade Buzz

Originally posted on Utah Jazz on SI | By Jared Koch | Last updated Sep 30, 2025 11:00 AM ET

All NBA offseason, there might have been no player consistently mentioned in trade rumors and buzz more than Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen, who, throughout months of speculation, now heads into his fourth year in Salt Lake City ready to take on a whole season of new challenges.

Despite being at the center of various trade rumors in recent years to a variety of teams, Markkanen has remained consistently verbally committed, and since last summer, financially committed to the Jazz for years to come. He wants nothing more than to be a part of the next competitive team to be built in Utah, and those in the Jazz front office seemingly share that same sentiment.

So when asking Markkanen about his current feelings on any trade rumors that may surround his name, it should come as no surprise that he's been paying no attention to it.

Instead, he's sticking to his commitment with the Jazz while focusing on being the best player and teammate he can be as long as he's in the building.

"Same as I've always said, I love to be in Utah," Markkanen said of his potential trade rumors at Jazz media day. "The rumors have already started, but I don't pay attention to that. Anybody can get traded in this league, so you just play to the best of your abilities, and enjoy the practice, and games, and times I get to spend in this facility with these guys."

Regardless of Markkanen's consistent cries of being happy in Utah and the Jazz showing all of the right signs of being committed to their franchise cornerstone, it still hasn't stopped the rumors from flowing.

With the roster still being in a state of rebuild and a 28-year-old Markkanen still eager to compete in the playoffs for the first time in his career, it's easy to connect the dots for a potentially favorable trade setup for the Jazz star to find another opportunity elsewhere while Utah continues down the road of an extensive rebuild.

However, while that's always remained a plausible outcome, that's not been the approach Markkanen and the Jazz have taken.

Rather than pivot off of a talent like Markkanen for future assets, the Jazz want to keep their veteran talent in the fold.

Utah and their front office know the type of versatility and value a guy like Markkanen can bring to the table to a young, up-and-coming group. Unless the truly perfect package comes their way, it's hard to see that deal coming to fruition any time soon.

Markkanen still leaves that possibility open for a potential trade down the line with Utah, but it doesn't seem to be taking up too much of his headspace.

"If something happens, then we adjust. I've never lived in an 'if' world, and looked at the trade rumors or anything like that. I've always been 100% committed to the team I play with currently, so nothing's going to change on that one."

Anything is possible in a league like the NBA, but if all holds true, Markkanen and the Jazz seem to be in a good place to keep the marriage going for the time being.

This article first appeared on Utah Jazz on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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