Jazz F Lauri Markkanen on Recent Trade Rumors: ‘I Love Being In Utah'

Despite being previously considered an ‘untouchable’ asset by the Utah Jazz, recent reports suggest the team may be interested in sending off Lauri Markkanen via trade if the price is right. Obviously, the return would have to be substantial for Utah to move off of one of its franchise cornerstone pieces, but such an offer remains a possibility.

The Jazz forward has started off his 2023-24 campaign by averaging 23.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on some impressive 48.6/38.4/84.6 splits in 18 games. If dealt, he could end up being a real contributor to a contender’s championship push at the end of the season.

However, when it comes to Markkanen’s opinion of a possible trade going down, he seems pretty happy with the team he’s on currently.

NBA reporter Sam Amick of The Athletic had a sitdown with the All-Star where he detailed that while his name may be swirling in rumors, he has confidence in how this team is being built and enjoys being a part of the Jazz:

"I look at that as a compliment to you that teams are interested in you and it’s a credit to what you’ve done in the past and how you work...I’ve kind of learned to just go day by day and really put the work in and try to play to the best of my abilities and whatever happens happens, really. Like I said, I love being in Utah and it’s a compliment of what you’ve done in the past (that teams have interest). We’ll see. But yeah, I just want to emphasize that I really believe in what we’re building here with the Jazz. Go day by day. Do your best. That’s all you can do."

Considering finding players open and willing to play in Salt Lake City has been hard to come by, seeing a player of Markkanen’s caliber so invested in the Jazz has to be a welcome sight for both fans and those in the organization. It ultimately makes sending him off in a potential deal (even with a potentially grand return) that much harder to do.

It seems clear that if it were up to Lauri, he’d be content staying in Salt Lake City to continue being a part of what this team has put together across the past year plus. Still, at the end of the day, the NBA is a business. We’ve seen crazier deals go down in the past, even with players seemingly happy in their current situation.

This situation may come down to the trade deadline before we get concrete answers on how Lauri’s long-term future plays out. For now, though, he’s healthy, playing some good ball, and excited to be a part of Utah. Things could be a whole lot worse.

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