Lauri Markkanen was one of the top names on the trade market last summer before he decided to renegotiate and extend his contract with the Jazz. Because he waited until August 7 to finalize the agreement, Markkanen was ineligible to be dealt for the entire season, giving him a brief break from trade speculation.
Those rumors are likely are start back up, writes Sarah Todd of The Deseret News, as Utah just turned in the league’s worst record at 17-65. But Markkanen said this week that he wants to remain with the Jazz, even if it means being part of a prolonged rebuilding process.
“I feel like what I did last summer with signing here, that kind of tells you the confidence I have in the organization and the guys we have,” Markkanen told reporters. “I love being in Utah. We’ll see what happens in summer, there’s things that you can’t control, but I love being here and working out with the guys that we have and building this thing.”
Injuries limited Markkanen to 47 games this season, the lowest total of his NBA career, but Todd points out that the number needs to be taken in context. The Jazz were clearly trying to maximize their lottery odds to land a prime spot in the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes, and they were fined $100K in March for violating the league’s player participation policy.
Markkanen was still productive when he played, averaging 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 31.4 minutes per night, although his shooting numbers fell to .423/.346/.876. He hasn’t been on the court since March 17 due to a condition in his left knee, but he expects to be fully recovered in time to represent Finland in the upcoming EuroBasket tournament.
“We have a big summer with the national team, and I’m excited for that,” Markkanen said. “In previous years (playing for the national team) those are the years I’ve always felt the best, physically and mentally, to be honest. Because you’re getting game reps right before the NBA season starts. So that kind of gets me excited for the summer, for being able to play for your country, and then how that’s going to lead up into the NBA season.”
It’s not guaranteed that Markkanen will stay in Utah for his entire contract, which runs through the 2028/29 season, Todd adds. He’ll turn 28 this summer, which puts him slightly off the timeline for a rebuilding franchise, and there are sure to be interested suitors now that he’s able to be traded again. General manager Justin Zanik indicated that he might listen to offers, but he doesn’t plan to shop Markkanen around the league.
“We’ll see when opportunities come up to add to the roster, but I see Lauri as a central part of what we’re doing, that’s why we signed him,” Zanik said. “We think he can be a huge piece for us as we join the competitive rings.”
Tall, blonde white guy loves living in Utah. More at 11.
Or, how about a Finn liking premier ski slopes 1/2 an hour from his home.
And I hope to escape New York soon
If the Jazz score Cooper Flagg, Laurie Markkanen will be redundant.
@Gary a tech foul? too many good white guys on one roster? the nba prefers to spread them out? 😂🤣😅🤣😂
My point exactly !!
Just kidding, but I think really that two 6-10 guys who like to handle the ball and shoot from outside and facilitate would be a serious unnecessary repeat.
They could probably make it work but why when you can improve on that position with coop and then trade Laurie for a dynamic guard?
Gary, you are always a step ahead. Next time you run into Danny at the Spearmint Rhino, remind him about the standing offer to trade Laurie for Moody and Kuminga.
The last time I talked to Danny Ainge was in Solana Beach California. He wasn’t hot on Moody then and I don’t think he’s hot on Moody now.
Gary, Ok, so he’s not hot on Moody, but he knows Lauri has got to go. Tell him we’ll throw in TJD and an unprotected 2033 2nd round pick.
Maybe the Bulls can trade that iffy Portland 1st round pick they got for trading him in the first place and get a coach who knows what to do with him.
Interesting that after he secured his contract, his numbers this year regressed when he should be hitting his peak while going into his prime. Not sure if he had some injuries that affected him, but on that team, he should’ve had some good chances to stat pad.
Reading comprehension issues??
If only the article stated he was limited to 47 games played this season
Yeah, he should’ve padded his stats but with his contract in hand, I think they told him to slow it down a little bit.
Tanking 101. He was probably OK with that since he was getting paid in that new contract.
They told him he was injured quite a bit too lol. “Yeah but I wanna play.”
Nope I think you’re hurt tonight. For the next week as well.
Probably frustrating for the player. But he sounds OK with it for now.
Yeah, was thinking that maybe they told him not to push it since it was a lost season / tanking season.
@DS1 & @Black Aces57 Yes, read that it was due to his left knee, etc. I should’ve edited it to say more of speculation is that does he really have the drive to be a great player regardless of the situation or is he just happy to get the bag and be “content”.
Let some speculate about the Warriors trading for him. But, their pursuit of him was predicated on them landing Paul George. Dunleavy said Markkanen was plan 1b; George was plan 1a.
Yup but Vanilla Ice was right. Jimmy Butler was plan “A1A rollin’ from Miami.”
(Netwigs aught to love this ^)
This isn’t meant to be mean, but I’m not sure if Butler is as coveted as you seem to think. He’s gonna be 36 in a few months, and is a bit of a prima donna. Warriors window is this year and next, and it aint looking good.
That’s a great point but look where they were before Jimmy. They were a .500 team and sinking fast.
They were old and their one star was getting triple teamed constantly.
Jimmy doesn’t make them younger but the way he’s playing they have new life.
I agree this year and next. Sure they just got by the grizzlies and lost to the Clippers in that big game but they beat the Lakers the Nuggets the Rockets the week before in huge games, considering the seedings at stake at that time.
One more thing to note is that the Phoenix Suns were very hot after Jimmy at the deadline and we’re even willing to give up the still valuable Kevin Durant to do it. It wasn’t because of a contract savings or dollar savings, but rather doing so was a desire for the guy and what he does for a team.
I just pray Utah doesn’t get the #1 pick…….
Don’t worry they won’t.
There’s no way Cooper Flagg winds up west of the Mississippi and on ESPN Wednesday night basketball at 10 PM at night.
But you know what that’ll be ok because Danny Ange has stockpiled a gazillion pics so they’ll be fine and the jazz will be back on top soon enough.
Magic Johnson just called, Cooper Flag isn’t going to Utah.
Jazz and wiz don’t deserve Flagg. Neither do blazers.
He makes sense for pels, raps or hornets.