NBA insider reveals Jazz's intentions with Lauri Markkanen

Alex Walsh

NBA insider reveals Jazz's intentions with Lauri Markkanen image

The Jazz have traded away/parted ways with several of their core players over the past month.

Those players include John Collins, Collin Sexton and Jordan Clarkson.

One player who has remained with the team so far is Lauri Markkanen.

Recently, we received an update on his status.

What is the update?

ESPN's Tim MacMahon reported, "It would be too much to describe Markkanen as untouchable, but the Jazz still project the All-Star forward as a key player in their future core."

Although signs point towards Markkanen staying in Utah, that doesn't mean Markkanen's value on the trade market hasn't been tested before.

MacMahon also detailed, "Utah listened to offers for Markkanen last summer, but none of the talks with other teams ever came close to tempting CEO Danny Ainge and GM Justin Zanik to make a trade."

MORE: Jazz asking price in a Walker Kessler trade revealed by NBA insider

Markkanen was acquired in a trade a few years ago when the Jazz traded away Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers.

Markkanen put together an all-star season in 2022-23 and has arguably been Utah's best player in his three seasons there.

Utah will look to turn the tide over the next few seasons in their rebuild and build a roster around Markkanen and the newly drafted rookie, Ace Bailey.

Markkanen will be under contract through the 2028-29 NBA season after signing a lucrative extension in 2024.

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Alex Walsh

Alex is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A current Sports Media major at Hofstra University in New York, he is a huge Celtics and NBA fan who gets way too many notifications from NBA insiders on X. He became interested in PDC Darts at the beginning of 2024 and has been obsessed ever since.