Earlier in October, Netflix released a 10-episode docuseries titled “Starting 5.” The docuseries followed five of the NBA’s best players during the 2023-24 campaign. These players included LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Jimmy Butler, Domantas Sabonis, and Anthony Edwards. The docuseries was a big hit in the NBA community as it gave a deeper look into the lives and behind-the-scenes action of the game’s greats. However, it seems that there were other NBA players in consideration for the docuseries, including Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen, who revealed he declined an appearance on the docuseries.
Per Sarah Todd of the Deseret News, Markkanen was asked to partake in the docuseries. However, he opted against it, citing that he “just wanted to focus on playing basketball.”
“I assume it was the same show,” Markkanen said earlier this month. “They reached out about doing a Netflix show. Maybe it was a different one, but that’s the only basketball stuff I’ve seen so I assume it was that one.”
“I didn’t want to bring extra people into the locker room,” he said. “Yes, it’s fine when it’s going great and you’re having people film you in your car after a game. But what if things go sideways? I just know my personality and it would have been too much. I just wanted to focus on playing basketball and being with our team with no other people around. And then, we’re pretty private with our family life as well, so didn’t want to bring them into it.”
NBA All-Star Reveals He Declined Spot in ‘Starting 5’ Docuseries
Lauri Markkanen’s 2023-24 Campaign With the Utah Jazz
Last season was Markkanen’s second with the Jazz. Though it was not on the same level as his All-Star campaign the year before, the Finnish native was fantastic in Utah last season. In 55 games, he averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2 assists. Additionally, he shot 48% from the field and 39.9% from the three-point line. For the second consecutive season, Markkanen led the Jazz in scoring. However, it was not good enough for a postseason appearance.
The Jazz ended the 2023-24 season with a 31-51 record, a six-game dropoff from the season before. They finished as the No. 12 seed in the West and were 15 games back from a Play-In spot. The Jazz failed to make the playoffs for the second straight season after trading Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Last Word On Lauri Markkanen
Given how often Markkanen’s name came up in trade rumors, it would have been an interesting development to follow in the docuseries. Currently, it is unknown if Netflix plans on having a second season of “Starting 5.” However, given how successful the current season of it is, it would not be a shock. Regardless, it seems unlikely that Markkanen will be a part of a docuseries like this in any capacity. His main priority is playing basketball and bringing Utah back to the playoffs for the first time in his Jazz tenure. This offseason, the 27-year-old signed a four-year, $195.8 million contract extension. As it stands, he will remain a part of Utah’s roster for the long haul.
