Ranking Utah Jazz's Three Most Untouchable Players on the Roster

No one in the NBA is untouchable. That was made clear in the Luka Doncic blockbuster that took place between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks back in 2025: anything––and any move––can be possible in this league.

But for the Utah Jazz and their budding young core specifically, there are a few names on the roster that seem far from likely to be moved in a trade within the foreseeable future. They're either too important as it relates to their current roster, their future endeavors, or a combination of both.

The Jazz have multiple valuable young pieces and impactful veterans on the roster who fit that mold quite well, and therefore, have virtually no chance of seeing a trade out of Utah–– at least anytime soon.

Let's take a look at and rank the Jazz's three most untouchable players around the roster heading into the 2026-27 season:

3. Lauri Markkanen

Nov 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) looks on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Jazz have been no stranger to Lauri Markkanen trade rumors. It seems like every summer since conversations of a move really heated up before he signed his 2024 extension, Utah sees a few mock trades floating around linking them to move off of their one-time All-Star.

But it was in that 2024 offseason–– where trade rumors were as loud as they've ever been for Markkanen in Utah–– that we learned the Jazz value Markkanen extremely highly. If the Jazz weren't getting an exemplary package in return for Markkanen, they weren't interested in dealing him.

With that in mind, no trade happened. Markkanen signed a massive, $200-plus million extension in Utah. He has made it clear he wants to remain in Salt Lake City, and the Jazz front office has remained likewise committed. It'd be pretty surprising to see any Markkanen deal go down within the next year.

2. Ace Bailey

Apr 10, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz guard Ace Bailey (19) warms up before the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

After the Jazz landed the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, a few rumors surfaced linking Utah to a trade up the board with the Washington Wizards to No. 1 in a deal that would potentially include Ace Bailey. However, those rumors connecting the Jazz to a possible Bailey trade couldn't be further from reality.

The Jazz see Bailey as a core part of their future. He was an All-Rookie Second-Team member who got better after each and every month of his first year in the league, has the physical toolset to soon become a seriously impactful two-way player, and could soon develop into a nightly 20-point scorer as well.

No matter what any outside noise might tell you, don't expect the Jazz to make any moves on Bailey for the foreseeable future––especially for as long as he's on a cheap contract like his four-year rookie deal.

1. Darryn Peterson

Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the second pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Kansas guard Darryn Peterson after he was selected by the Utah Jazz at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

There's no question who sits atop this list; you couldn't dream of a world where the Jazz deal their newest No. 2 overall pick, Darryn Peterson.

Peterson has all of the makings of being a future franchise cornerstone for Utah. He has upside on both ends of the floor, could end up as their leading scorer in about three years’ time, and might be impactful enough right away to be a day one starter, and right in the mix to win Rookie of the Year in what is expected to be a loaded field of contenders.

So no, the Jazz aren't going to be trading Peterson anytime soon. And the odds that they would do so are exponentially slimmer than anyone else on this roster.

Be sure to follow Utah Jazz On SI on X to stay up to date for daily Utah Jazz news, rumors and analysis!

Add us as a preferred source on Google