Multiple teams went hard after Utah Jazz All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen during the 2024 offseason. The Golden State Warriors led the charge, but the Jazz wouldn’t budge and locked up Markkanen with a five-year, $238 million contract extension on August 7. That deal removed him from the trade market for six months, but those rules have expired.
Now, some teams are eyeing Markkanen and the $195,868,144 left on his contract.
Are the Jazz Suddenly Open to Trading Lauri Markkanen?
The Jazz had a brutal 2024-25 season, finishing dead last with a 17-65 record. They’ve already moved on from veteran players like Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Collin Sexton, making their rebuild direction crystal clear.
Austin Ainge, Utah’s new president of basketball operations, is putting his faith in the young players on the roster. According to ESPN’s NBA insiders, Markkanen can’t be considered untouchable anymore, even though the Jazz still see him in their long-term plans.
Lauri Markkanen Highlights pic.twitter.com/ZOLfj0kwaT
— GSW Ball Report (@GSWBallReport) August 1, 2024
However, several factors work against a potential trade. Markkanen feels confident in the team, and his family has grown comfortable living in Utah. Plus, he’s coming off his worst season since becoming an All-Star in 2023.
While Utah has no issues with the 28-year-old’s massive contract, thanks to having several rookie deals on the books, opposing executives view the contract as too expensive. They’d want to see him bounce back before making any moves.
Which Teams Would Make the Most Sense for Markkanen?
The Warriors tried hard to land Markkanen last offseason, reportedly offering Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, pick swaps, and second-round picks. The Jazz wanted Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga as part of the deal, so nothing happened.
Golden State would love to add a 7-foot forward like Markkanen. They lean heavily on Stephen Curry for offense and Draymond Green for defense, so Markkanen as a stretch five would give them a huge boost.
The Warriors struggled with secondary scoring last season. Markkanen’s presence would stretch the floor and complement Curry’s elite shooting. On defense, having the Finnish forward would let Green focus purely on defense and playmaking.
While he’s not a lockdown defender, his offensive skills would make the Warriors a playoff contender. Since Curry and Green only have a few years left before retirement, a couple of seasons with Markkanen could be their last shot at another NBA championship.
The Philadelphia 76ers would also benefit from adding Markkanen. They desperately need a stretch big to complement Joel Embiid, the 2023 NBA MVP.
Markkanen’s 3-point shooting would pull defenders out of the paint, giving Embiid more room to dominate inside. His ability to score off catch-and-shoot opportunities, pull-up jumpers, and drives would add a dynamic fourth option, taking pressure off Tyrese Maxey and Paul George.
Still, it looks like Markkanen will stay with the Jazz for now. With a roster full of youngsters and rookies, the Jazz need a veteran presence to lead the team, and Markkanen fits that role perfectly.
