For much of the offseason, there was a lot of speculation regarding what the Utah Jazz were going to do with star Lauri Markkanen. Markkanen has one year remaining on his current contract. However, he is eligible for a contract extension this offseason. Regardless, reports indicated that the Jazz were weighing options, including potentially trading the Finnish native. The team most heavily linked to Markkanen was the Golden State Warriors. However, according to the latest reports, it seems this is completely off the table.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the Jazz and Markkanen have agreed to “a massive long-term contract extension.” The exact details are not currently known. Additionally, Charania mentioned that the extension will not be official until Wednesday. This will make Markkanen untradeable for the entire 2024-25 season.
JUST IN: NBA All-Star Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz are expected to agree to a massive long-term contract extension and sign Wednesday or later, making him untradeable for entire 2024-25, sources tell me, @Tjonesonthenba, @anthonyVslater.
Details: https://t.co/g4ioZvcaix
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 6, 2024
The Jazz acquired Markkanen from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2022 as part of the blockbuster Donovan Mitchell trade. With Utah, the Arizona alum has emerged and played the best basketball of his NBA career. In two seasons with the team, Markkanen has averaged 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game. Additionally, he has shot 49% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc. In 2023, Markkanen was selected to his first career All-Star game. Furthermore, he took home the Most Improved Player award that same year.
With Markkanen now on Utah’s books for the long haul, it seems they are committed to the 27-year-old as their franchise cornerstone.
Utah Jazz Officially Make Decision on Lauri Markkanen
The Warriors’ Reported Finals Offer for Lauri Markkanen
According to Charania, the Warriors reportedly offered Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, pick swaps, and second-round picks for Markkanen. The biggest holdup per reports was Golden State’s refusal to include 21-year-old guard Brandin Podziemski in a trade for Markkanen. Ultimately, it led to any potential trade stalling, as made clear by Markkanen’s extension.
Warriors final offer for Lauri Markkanen:
Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, pick swaps and second-rounders, per @ShamsCharania
Golden State refused to offer Brandin Podziemski pic.twitter.com/SHs2i8yqHA
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 6, 2024
With the team missing out on Markkanen, they will likely shift gears towards acquiring another big man. Recently, Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports reported that Golden State could have interest in Washington Wizards big man Jonas Valanciunas. Valanciunas signed with Washington earlier this summer. However, it seems likely he will be on a new team by the end of next season. The Warriors will be a team to monitor in the Valanciunas sweepstakes.
The Last Word
Extending Markkanen makes sense from a basketball perspective for the Jazz. He is their best player, is still young, and most importantly, wants to be there. In the last two seasons, Utah finished as the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference, just barely missing out on the postseason. For the team to get over that hump once and for all, Markkanen is an important player to help them do exactly that.
