The notion that Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen will be dealt is “wishful thinking,” according to multiple NBA executives, as reported by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.
Because “he wants to stay in Utah, the price tag for him is too high with his looming free agency, and he can renegotiate and extend his contract after the season,” executives think Markkanen will remain with the Jazz, according to Scotto.
That kind of record for a team with a young player like Markkanen is going to stir trade rumors, but Scotto said following meetings at the 2023 G League Winter Showcase, NBA executives appear to have “more of a consensus” regarding the forward’s likelihood of staying with the Jazz.
Despite the fact that the 26-year-old forward “is no longer untouchable in trade conversations,” as reported by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer last week, Markkanen expressed his desire to remain with the team to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
“I just want to emphasize that I really believe in what we’re building here with the Jazz,” Markkanen stated to Amick.
After the 2023–24 season, Markkanen may decide to renegotiate and extend his contract. In 2025, he is presently scheduled to become a free agent.
For the 2024–25 season, Markkanen is reportedly projected to earn little over $18 million; however, only $6 million of that amount is guaranteed.
When Amick described this contract as “team-friendly” and Markkanen as “underpaid,” Markkanen concurred.
According to Scotto and Yossi Gozlan, Markkanen might add $25 million to that total during prospective renegotiations with the Jazz. He might also receive $200 million over the course of the following four seasons.
Markkanen is in his second season with the Jazz, where he received his first career All-Star nod after scoring a career-high 25.6 points per game last season.
Markkanen has averaged 23.3 points and 8.6 rebounds in 19 starts this season, putting him on course for another All-Star selection.
However, the Jazz have not replicated Markkanen’s success. Utah is 12th in the Western Conference with an 11-18 record, and they are on the verge of their second losing season in a row.
That kind of record for a team with a young player like Markkanen is going to stir trade rumors, but Scotto said following meetings at the 2023 G League Winter Showcase, NBA executives appear to have “more of a consensus” regarding the forward’s likelihood of staying with the Jazz.
Markkanen told Amick that he had not spoken with anyone from the Jazz about a possible trade. According to Scotto, the forward’s future negotiations with the Utah front office are more likely to be upon his upcoming extension rather than his contract.
