Talented Finnish NBA star Lauri Markkanen is reportedly close to leaving the Utah Jazz, with the Golden State Warriors being hot on the heels of the 28-year-old. Markkanen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, before being traded to the Chicago Bulls, where he stayed for four years.
He then moved to the Cleveland Cavaliers for one year before moving to Utah in 2022, where he has failed to help the Jazz make the postseason. Indeed, his only taste of playoff action to date came during his short spell in Cleveland.
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A move that would see Markkanen is apparently one that the Jazz are open to, according to a number of sources. Addressing these rumors, SI’s Chris Mannix stated.
‘Lauri Markkanen is the name I hear most frequently. Utah passed on an offer from Golden State for Markkanen in the summer of 2024, believing a stronger market would materialize. It didn’t, and right now there is a belief that the Jazz are very open for business on their 28-year-old ex-All-Star.’
Markkanen has been busy this summer, representing Finland at the 2025 Eurobasket, where his team battled valiantly to secure a place in the bronze medal playoff, which they lost to Greece 89-92. It was the Finns best display at the tournament, and the Jazz star discussed their fortunes following the defeat.
“We can do anything as a team. We stick together, we play for each other, we play for the country.”
“That’s the one takeaway from this tournament. You never give up, you play for the name on front of the jersey, anything is possible. It wasn’t quite enough today, but it gives us boost and motivation for the future.”
Markkanen went on to talk about the gap between NBA action and international basketball.
“I think there’s both sides to it,”
“NBA has the best players in the world in every team, and games are longer so you have more time to score points and stuff. And then — well, of course there is rules that make the NBA easier for that, which is the defensive three-second rule or the not tipping the ball on the top of the rim, which pisses me off here. But yeah, I think there’s both sides to it. And obviously game is really physical here, and sometimes you do get the call, sometimes not. But I think in certain ways, FIBA might be tougher, for sure.” Markkanen concluded.
As to where Markkanen may end up before the 2025/26 season tips off, there will be no shortage of interest in him, and Jazz may well look to extract as much as they can from his likely departure, as he is without a doubt one of the best performers in Will Hardy’s underperforming roster.
