Lauri Markkanen and the Utah Jazz are sticking together, despite all the rumors floating around. After a brutal season where they finished dead last in the NBA with just 17 wins, plenty of people wondered if Markkanen might be headed elsewhere. But Jazz GM Justin Zanik has made it clear – the Finnish forward is staying put.
“We’ll see when opportunities come up to add to the roster, but I see Lauri as a central part of what we’re doing, that’s why we signed him,” Zanik said. “We think he can be a huge piece for us as we join the competitive rings.”
When asked if he wants to stay in Utah, Markkanen didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely,” he said. “I feel like what I did last summer with signing here, that kind of tells you the confidence I have in the organization and the guys we have. I love being in Utah. We’ll see what happens in summer, there’s things that you can’t control, but I love being here and working out with the guys that we have and building this thing.”
Markkanen is currently playing on a massive five-year, $238 million contract extension.
## Jazz and Markkanen Looking to the Future
Markkanen’s numbers took a hit this past season. He averaged 19.0 points per game – his lowest since his Cleveland days when he put up just 14.8 points.
But let’s be honest – he was playing for a Jazz team that many fans believe was tanking for top prospect Cooper Flagg.
His rebounds dropped to 5.9 per game, with assists at a measly 1.5. It’s been a steady decline since his All-Star season in 2022-23.
Then again, the team around him hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire.
## Utah’s Uphill Battle
The Jazz have been really bad. Like, historically bad.
They finished with the worst record in the entire league. Their offense ranked 21st in scoring (111.9 points per game) and 22nd in shooting percentage (45.4%).
Their defense? Dead last in the NBA with a 119.4 rating.
How’s anyone supposed to thrive in that environment?
This might be exactly why the Jazz aren’t willing to trade Markkanen. They know these problems aren’t his fault, and they need someone to build around as they try to climb out of the NBA basement.
With Markkanen locked in and the team likely to add a top draft pick this summer, Jazz fans might finally have something to look forward to after a season they’d rather forget.
