The Utah Jazz have secured their prized player, Lauri Markkanen, in a move that has sent shockwaves through the NBA. Despite being the hottest trade target this offseason, the much-anticipated Lauri Markkanen trade isn’t happening. He’s set to ink a colossal long-term contract extension with the Jazz, making him untouchable for the entire 2024-25 season.
Golden State Warriors Miss Out on Lauri Markkanen Trade
Sources reveal this renegotiation-and-extend deal leverages the Jazz’s $33 million salary cap space, pushing the contract’s value to over $200 million for five years. This deal not only makes Markkanen the highest-paid player in Jazz history but also one of the top-paid European players in the NBA. By using $24.13 million of the cap space, the Jazz will elevate Markkanen’s salary to a whopping $42.2 million for the upcoming season, solidifying his future with the team through 2029.
Tuesday marked the first day both Markkanen and the Jazz could finalize this extension. This deal reshapes the landscape, removing him from the trade market and the 2025 free agency, where he would have been the top available player.
The Warriors’ Aggressive Pursuit
The Jazz entertained serious offers from teams like the San Antonio Spurs, Sacramento Kings, and Golden State Warriors. The Warriors, in particular, pushed hard with a package centered around Moses Moody and multiple draft picks. However, Utah demanded Brandin Podziemski, a player the Warriors were unwilling to part with.
Despite their best efforts, the Warriors accepted that Markkanen’s extension with Utah was inevitable. No team could meet the Jazz’s hefty demands for their star forward, and rival executives knew that only an overwhelming offer would tempt Utah to trade him.
Markkanen’s Meteoric Rise
Markkanen’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Drafted seventh by the Chicago Bulls in 2017, he struggled to find his footing, eventually revitalizing his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers. However, it was his move to the Jazz in the Donovan Mitchell trade that truly transformed him. In Utah, he became the franchise cornerstone, earning an All-Star starting spot, the Most Improved Player award, and nearly an All-NBA team selection.
In two breakout seasons with the Jazz, Markkanen has averaged 24.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, shooting 49% from the field and 40% from three-point range. His 7-foot frame, athleticism, and scoring ability have made him a coveted trade asset, especially given the Jazz’s ongoing rebuild.
A Commitment to Utah
Behind the scenes, Markkanen has expressed his desire to stay in Utah, believing in the team’s long-term vision. The Jazz, in turn, see him as a central figure in their rebuild, making several attempts to bolster the roster, including pursuits of Jrue Holiday and Mikal Bridges.
With Markkanen’s future now secure, the Jazz face the challenge of integrating him with their young roster. The team aims to develop their recent draft picks and has their eyes set on the 2025 NBA Draft, hoping to land a potential superstar.
The Warriors’ Next Move
For the Warriors, missing out on Markkanen means a shift in strategy. While they failed to land their top July trade target, they still hold valuable assets and draft picks, allowing them to remain aggressive buyers up to February’s trade deadline. Though they’ve shown no interest in pursuing stars like Zach LaVine or Brandon Ingram, they are expected to explore smaller-scale deals in the coming months.
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