The Utah Jazz are reportedly “very open” to trading Lauri Markkanen, according to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated. The 28-year-old ex-All-Star could be moved after Utah passed on a summer 2024 offer from Golden State, hoping for a stronger market that never materialized.
Markkanen, currently in the first year of a four-year, $196 million deal, has been a consistent presence for Utah. Over the 2024–25 season, he averaged 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 31.4 minutes per game.
A former All-Star in 2022, Markkanen has career averages of 18.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. His shooting remains a strong suit, hitting 36.9% from three-point range over his career.
The Jazz roster includes rising talents like Walker Kessler, Taylor Hendricks, and Keyonte George, alongside veterans such as Kevin Love, Mo Bamba, and Jusuf Nurkic. Utah appears prepared to explore trade options that could bolster long-term roster flexibility.
Mannix notes that Utah’s openness to trading Markkanen stems from the team’s belief that a favorable offer could still arrive. The Jazz are monitoring the market while weighing how any potential deal would impact their core lineup and future planning.
