With just one year left on his current contract, Utah Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen will soon be eligible for a contract extension. However, the Finnish native has appeared in numerous trade rumors for the past few months. And while nothing has happened up to this point, the Jazz seem to be listening to calls regarding the 27-year-old. Most notably, the Golden State Warriors are the team that has been the most heavily linked to Markkanen. However, regardless of the uncertainty of his future in Utah, reports indicate that Markkanen would like to remain with the team past this summer.
According to Tony Jones of The Athletic, Markkanen and his family have “taken to Utah” and want to stick around.
“Lauri has really taken to Utah. His family has taken to Utah,” Jones said. “Obviously the Jazz can trade him between now and Aug 6th, and Lauri knows that, but Lauri has forged a really close relationship to Will Hardy. And Will has really found a way to unlock his career”
Markkanen has spent the last two seasons of his career in Utah after stints with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. With the Jazz, Markkanen has played the best basketball of his career. During the 2022-23 season, the Arizona alum made it to his first All-Star team. Additionally, he won the Most Improved Player award. In his two seasons with the Jazz, he has averaged 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game.
Lauri Markkanen Wants to Stay With Utah Jazz
Extending Lauri Markannen Could Open the Door for Utah to Add Another Former All-Star
A few days ago, New Orleans Pelicans writer Christian Clark reported that Utah could consider trading for Brandon Ingram if they extend Markkanen. According to Clark, keeping Markkanen on the team could push Utah to build a roster to compete right away.
The Jazz are a potential team to monitor for Brandon Ingram, per @cclark_13 (https://t.co/lsgi6onJoP).
If Utah signs Lauri Markkanen to a new long-term contract in August, they could pivot to a win-now move acquiring Ingram. pic.twitter.com/C4QsUhPTt8
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 28, 2024
Ingram, like Markkanen, has been a popular trade candidate for quite some time, and for some of the same reasons. The Pelicans forward also has one year remaining on his contract and wants to stay with the team. However, per reports, Ingram is seeking a $200 million contract extension. This may be too big of a price for the Pelicans to pay. Other past suitors for Ingram no longer appear interested in acquiring him. If the Jazz extend Markkanen, they immediately become a team to monitor in a potential trade for Ingram this summer.
The Last Word on Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz
Markkanen has played great during his Jazz stint so far. Though the team missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons, it is clear there is a ton of upside. If he wants to stay with the team, the Jazz should extend Markkanen and keep him around for the long run.
