Utah Jazz are determined to build around Lauri Markkanen despite widespread trade interest across the league, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto.
During Sunday appearance on YES Network, Scotto highlighted Markkanen’s strong start this season, averaging 27.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists over 23 games, noting his impressive performance at the EuroBaske 2025 for Finland has carried into the NBA.
Markkanen’s contract of $46.39 million and Utah’s $10.56 million in available cap space provide flexibility for the team to strengthen the roster around him in the 2025-26 season.
The Jazz rank 12th in the Western Conference with a 9–15 record, scoring 118.1 points per game while allowing 125.8, and are targeting a rebuild that transitions them out of the lottery.
Walker Kessler, a restricted free agent, and key contributors such as Jusuf Nurkic ($19.38M) and Kyle Anderson ($9.22M) form part of the Jazz’s core alongside Markkanen. The team plans to use available cap space strategically, waiting to re-sign Kessler and pursue roster upgrades.
Despite league-wide interest, Scotto reported that Utah’s priority is retaining Markkanen as a cornerstone for future contention rather than trading him for immediate assets.
Markkanen’s efficiency extends beyond scoring, contributing to spacing and pick-and-roll execution, which complements the Jazz’s developing backcourt led by Keyonte George (22.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 6.8 APG) and rookie Ace Bailey.
The Jazz’s projected 2026-27 payroll stands at $104.35 million, leaving flexibility to make moves while balancing expiring deals such as Nurkic, Georges Niang, and Kevin Love, and club options on younger players like Cody Williams and Taylor Hendricks.
Scotto emphasized that while Markkanen draws “tons of interest” from teams across the NBA, Utah sees him as the foundation for a sustainable, competitive roster and plans to leverage cap space to maximize talent around him.
The Jazz hope this approach positions them to transition from a lottery team into a contender in the coming seasons, with Markkanen serving as the centerpiece for both scoring and leadership.
