Kofi Inkoom
The Utah Jazz plan to keep forward Lauri Markkanen and aim to draft Cooper Flagg in 2025. Markkanen has attracted interest from several teams this offseason, with the Golden State Warriors being a leading contender if he leaves Salt Lake City.
However, the Jazz want to retain Markkanen as he will be eligible to renegotiate and extend his contract on August 6. Signing on that day would make him ineligible for a trade for six months, with the trade restriction lifting on the 2025 trade deadline.
Tony Jones of The Athletic discussed this on “The Drive with Spence Checketts” on ESPN 700 in Salt Lake City (audio). He explained why he doesn’t expect an August 6 announcement:
“I would expect him to sign on August 7th, or after August 6th,” Jones said. “Lauri doesn’t want to be traded, so if he signs the renegotiation and extension, which I expect him to do, I expect him to do it after August 6th so there’s no trade talk this year. I don’t even think him signing on August 6th is even that much of an option. We’re almost 100% trending towards him signing on August 7th.
“Lauri has really taken to Utah. His family has taken to Utah. Obviously the Jazz can trade him between now and August 6th, and Lauri knows that, but Lauri has forged a really close relationship with (head coach) Will Hardy. And Will Hardy has really found a way to unlock his career in a manner that hasn’t been accomplished before. Lauri really recognizes that, understands that, and appreciates that. He wants to be a part of the rebuild.”
Jones confirmed that the Jazz considered making “win-now” moves earlier in the offseason, including pursuing Mikal Bridges. After those efforts fell through, it was expected that Utah might shift to a rebuild by trading Markkanen.
But Jones says the Jazz believe the 27-year-old’s game will age well and that he should still be in his prime when the team is ready to contend again.
“The likely scenario is Lauri signs on August 7th, the Jazz prioritize the young guys during the season, and they try to enter the Cooper Flagg sweepstakes in the draft in 2025,” Jones said.
The Jazz’s 2025 first-round pick is top-10 protected, making the possibility of acquiring Cooper Flagg plausible.
Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks in the 2023-24 season for the Jazz, shooting 48.0% from the field, 39.9% from three-point range, and 89.9% from the free-throw line.
The 2022-23 Most Improved Player of the Year has career averages of 18.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.5 blocks, having played for the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Jazz.