Lauri Markkanen Trade Rumors: Jazz Not Shopping Star; Would Need No-Brainer Offer

Despite rumored interest across the NBA, the Utah Jazz are reportedly not looking to trade star forward Lauri Markkanen unless they are blown away by an offer.

Speaking Friday on Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective (beginning at the 34:20 mark), ESPN’s Tim MacMahon noted that while the Jazz are not actively shopping Markkanen, they would potentially move him if they receive an offer that is too good to pass up: “The Jazz—I don’t believe—are shopping him. But if you give them an offer they can’t refuse, they’d take it. There’s been nothing close to an offer they can’t refuse.”

Markkanen, who was named an All-Star for the first time during the 2022-23 season, is set to enter the final year of his contract in 2024-25, and will count just $18 million against the salary cap. He’s eligible to sign an extension on Aug. 6.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe reported earlier this month that “a pile of teams” have shown interest in trading for Markkanen, including the Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings.

That came on the heels of Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reporting that the Jazz were “expected to prioritize” signing Markkanen to a contract extension.

Markkanen, 27, was originally the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He spent his first four seasons with the Chicago Bulls and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers before getting dealt to the Jazz as part of the blockbuster trade involving perennial All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell.

Over his first five NBA seasons, Markkanen averaged a solid 15.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, but he took his play to a new level in Utah.

In his first season with the Jazz, Markkanen averaged a career-high 25.6 points per game to go along with 8.6 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers made and 1.9 assists, while shooting 49.9 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from long range.

Although Markkanen did not make the Western Conference All-Star team last season, he was nearly as good as he was the previous year, averaging 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and a career-high 3.2 three-pointers made and 2.0 assists per contest, while shooting 48.0 percent from the floor and 39.9 percent from deep.

The 2022-23 NBA Most Improved Player is undoubtedly Utah’s top player, and trading him would signal that the team’s rebuild is far from over.

Utah finished 12th in the West last season at 31-51, and given how stacked the conference is, it is difficult to envision the Jazz competing for a playoff spot next season even if they keep Markkanen.

The Jazz clearly need to put more established talent around Markkanen in order to move up the pecking order, but after striking out in free agency and seemingly on the trade market as well, dealing Markkanen may have to be a consideration, as the Jazz don’t figure to be playoff contenders in the near future.