Lauri Markkanen now has a long-term dedication to the Utah Jazz. Nevertheless, the brand new deal ensures one other summer season of commerce rumors for the Finnish All-Star.
The Jazz explored commerce choices for Markkanen all summer season earlier than Utah determined to renegotiate and lengthen his contract. Markkanen received a giant increase from his current $18M wage subsequent season as much as the utmost of simply over $42M, plus 4 extra years at a complete of $196M to stick with the group the place he grew to become an All-Star throughout the 2022-23 season.
The brand new contract’s timing means he is sticking round Salt Lake Metropolis subsequent season. NBA gamers cannot be traded till six months after signing such a deal, and the commerce deadline is on Feb. 6, in the future earlier than Markkanen would grow to be trade-eligible.
However there isn’t any purpose to assume Utah will not be procuring Markkanen once more. Since Danny Ainge grew to become CEO of the Jazz late in 2021, he is traded veterans and stockpiled draft picks. Rudy Gobert was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Donovan Mitchell went to the Cleveland Cavaliers, whereas Utah amassed as many as seven future first-round picks, plus just a few swaps.
The catch is that the Jazz nonetheless owes a first-round choose to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder as the value for dumping Derrick Favors’ contract three years in the past. That choose is protected against 1-10 subsequent yr, giving the Jazz a substantial incentive to tank forward of the loaded 2025 draft. If Ainge thinks long-term, the choose is protected 1-8 in 2026.
Markkanen will probably spend one other yr out of the playoffs and one other summer season on the commerce block. Ainge has basically guess that both the Timberwolves, Cavaliers or Lakers, who owe Utah a first-round choose (protected 1-4) in 2027, might be dangerous sufficient in just a few seasons to make their picks beneficial. However the 27-year-old Markkanen is sweet now. He would not match the timeline of his group, which has six gamers who’re 20 years outdated or youthful from the previous two drafts.
Markkanen definitely cashed in with this new contract. However do not anticipate him to be on the Jazz for the lifetime of this contract. And even previous subsequent season.
