Lauri Markkanen’s future was unclear until August 7, when he signed a renegotiated contract extension with the Jazz worth an additional $220MM, running through the 2028/29 season. Despite facing endless speculation, he tells Tony Jones of The Athletic that he tried to ignore the rumors.
“I think it’s fair to say that I saw the stuff online, but I tried very hard not to pay attention to it. I’m a big believer in what the front office and the coaching staff are doing,” Markkanen said. “I think it’s the people we have around and the environment we have. We have a group of guys that want to get better. I’ve embraced the leadership role, and my family truly enjoys Utah. We have enjoyed our two years here.”
Markkanen intentionally delayed signing his new deal to ensure he couldn’t be traded this season. The renegotiation means he won’t become trade-eligible for six months, with the NBA’s trade deadline on February 6.
The Jazz are in a rebuilding phase, likely contending for a top-five draft pick rather than a play-in spot. This prompted several teams to approach Utah with trade offers for Markkanen. The Kings reportedly made “significant progress” toward a deal before discussions fell apart in July, while the Warriors and Spurs also showed interest.
Although those teams could have offered a faster route to the playoffs, Markkanen preferred to stay with the Jazz and help rebuild.
“It was a nice feeling to know that a lot of teams wanted you to play for their franchise,” he said. “It tells me that I’ve been able to get a lot better as a player. But I tried not to think about it beyond that. I know that I wanted to come back to Utah, and that’s where my priorities were.”
Markkanen aims to enhance his ball-handling and playmaking this season, aspiring to be a more vocal leader for his young teammates. He sees this year as essential for building a long-term contender.
“I think it’s important to get game reps that you can’t simulate in practice,” he added. “I want to show these guys by example how to do the right things. I want to play the right way, especially with how coach (Will Hardy) wants us to play. I want to hold myself to a high standard.”
Lauri Markkanen Happy To Remain With Jazz https://t.co/EAhQYxSpCd pic.twitter.com/2wssJ9pGw9
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) September 30, 2024
