The Utah Jazz are “very open” to trading Lauri Markkanen, according to NBA insider Chris Mannix of SI.
Markkanen, 28, will make $46.4 million this season.
“Lauri Markkanen is the name I hear most frequently,” Mannix wrote. “Utah passed on an offer from Golden State for Markkanen in the summer of 2024, believing a stronger market would materialize. It didn’t, and right now there is a belief that the Jazz are very open for business on their 28-year-old ex-All-Star.”
Markkanen is one of the top players in the NBA. He averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.4 blocks for the Jazz last season in 47 games while shooting 42.3% from the field, 34.6% from beyond the arc and 87.6% from the free-throw line.
The Jazz had the worst record in the NBA last season. They went 17-65.
Markkanen has played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz, compiling averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.5 blocks. The big man doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The Jazz are still rebuilding, so Markkanen is better suited to play for another franchise. It will be fascinating to see if Utah and Markkanen part ways this season.
