Jazz Team MVP: Lauri Markkanen or Collin Sexton?

The 2023-24 Utah Jazz MVP is now up for debate.

In year one of the Will Hardy regime, forward Lauri Markkanen emerged as the best player for the rebuilding Utah Jazz. In his first year in a Jazz uniform, Markkanen started in his first All-Star game and was one player removed from making the All-NBA team. There was no debate that Markkanen deserved to be the 2022-23 Utah Jazz MVP.

Fast forward to the 2023-24 season, and it’s not so clear-cut. Second-year Jazzman Collin Sexton has emerged and put himself in the conversation with Markkanen as this year's Most Valuable Player. 

So, who’s been Utah’s best player this season? Let’s examine.

If you’re looking at it from a pure numbers standpoint, then Markkanen might be your guy. It was another solid season in which he averaged 23 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. Markkanen's strengths weren’t just scoring the basketball but doing it efficiently. His effective FG% is 57.6%, which is elite, considering he averages eight three-point attempts per game.

Markkanen is an adequate defender. His defensive rating is 119.5, and Utah’s team's defensive rating is 120.5. Although Markkanen isn’t a lockdown defender, the Jazz have been slightly better defensively when he’s on the court. 

Also, regarding being a team player, Markkanen checked the boxes. There’s never any locker room drama, and in a year when the front office pulled the plug on the season at the trade line, Markkanen walked the company line.

One downside of this year has been his durability, which has been a problem throughout his career. Markkanen has missed 18 games and counting this year, and if there were to be an argument against signing Markkanen to a max contract, it would be his inability to play a full season. In his seven-year career, the most games he’s logged in a season is 68. Over his two seasons in Salt Lake City, he’s missed 34 missed contests.

As far as Sexton, this season has been a pleasant surprise. His stat line may not be as impressive as Markkanen’s, but he’s been Utah’s most reliable and consistent player this year.

Sexton is averaging 18.5 points and has dished out a career-high of 4.8 assists per game. Even more impressive is that he’s putting up those numbers in just 26.1 minutes per game.

Just like Markkanen, he’s been a very efficient player. Sexton is shooting a career-high of 40.3% on three-point attempts and has an eFG% of 55.6%. Ex-Jazzman Donovan Mitchell's eFG% playing the same position as Sexton in his tenure in Utah ranged from 49.3% to 53.3%. 

Defensively, Markkanen has more to offer than Sexton, and it showed up in the stats this season. Sexton boasts a 122.6 defensive rating, and Utah is slightly better on  defensive when Sexton is on the bench. 

Regarding reliability this season, it doesn't get better than what Sexton might be pulling off for the first time since his rookie year. The six-year pro is the only Jazz player that hasn't missed a game this season. Playing all 82 games would be quite an accomplishment in a league where players missing games due to rest has become the status quo.

It’s really close on who’s been a more valuable player this year, and there probably is not a wrong answer. However, considering Sexton averages slightly more points than Markkanen when he’s on the floor and is a much more durable player, I would give the edge to Sexton despite being a below-average defender.