The Utah Jazz are reportedly willing to entertain trade offers for All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, less than a year after signing him to a five-year, $238 million contract extension.
On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, Bill Simmons stated, “People around the league believe the Jazz are willing to listen to trade offers on Lauri Markkanen.”
Markkanen, who turned 28 in May, averaged 19.0 points and 5.9 rebounds this season while shooting 42.3% from the field and 34.6% from beyond the arc. He started in all 47 games he played before injuries sidelined him during stretches of the 2024–25 campaign.
The Finnish forward was a central piece of Utah’s rebuild, but the team’s performance this season may have prompted a shift in direction. The Jazz finished with a 17–65 record, the worst in the NBA and the worst in franchise history.
Despite launching a new brand identity with the “Mountain Basketball” campaign and unveiling fresh jersey designs, the on-court product did not match the off-court excitement. Utah was the last team in the league to record a win this season and failed to build on their 31–51 record from the previous year.
Markkanen was linked with trade speculation throughout the 2024 offseason, with the Golden State Warriors among the teams reportedly interested. The forward ultimately committed to Utah in August 2024 with a long-term deal, signaling belief in the franchise’s direction at the time.
