The Utah Jazz head into the 2025-26 season with the same old questions swirling around their future. At the center of it all is Lauri Markkanen, who, despite signing a massive long-term extension just over a year ago, remains a constant subject of trade speculation. The situation has only intensified as the team’s rebuild stalls, leaving many to wonder if the star forward’s prime years are being wasted.
How Long Can Lauri Markkanen and the Jazz Coexist?
NBA insider Marc Stein recently poured gasoline on the fire, suggesting that rival teams have no plans to stop calling about Markkanen’s availability. In his latest Stein Line report, Stein laid out the uncomfortable reality Utah might face. “By month’s end, he’ll be back in Salt Lake City with a team that went 17-65 last season and might not be any better this season. Is this what Markkanen signed up for when he inked a five-year contract extension with the Jazz worth nearly $240 million in August 2024?” Stein wrote.
He also highlighted a growing concern for the 28-year-old. “The 7-footer is entering his ninth NBA season and has yet to play in a single playoff game. Count on Utah’s phones ringing often between now and February with trade interest in The Finnisher.”
Utah’s Lauri Markkanen is still waiting for his first taste of the NBA playoffs … but you can see the reaction abroad to the monster upset of mighty Serbia just delivered by his national team. https://t.co/yBDi5qjTGX
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) September 6, 2025
Stein’s comments capture what many around the league are wondering: Does Markkanen’s commitment to Utah still align with the franchise’s slow rebuilding timeline?
Since trading away Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, the Jazz have been stuck between two competing goals. On one hand, they are trying to develop a young core that features Taylor Hendricks, Keyonte George, and other recent draft picks.
On the other, they have leaned heavily on Markkanen to stay competitive. That balancing act completely fell apart last year when Utah finished with the worst record in franchise history at 17-65.
Meanwhile, Markkanen’s dominant performance at EuroBasket this summer only makes things more complicated. He dropped several 40-point games for Finland, proving his star power is as bright as ever.
43 points… in 23 minutes 😱
Lauri Markkanen’s second-career 40-point @EuroBasket performance powered Finland to a W! pic.twitter.com/ZAVCiRKYKq
— NBA (@NBA) August 29, 2025
These kinds of performances give Utah hope it can build around him, but they also drive up his trade value if the front office decides to fully commit to its youth movement.
What Would a Trade for Markkanen Actually Look Like?
The Jazz have made it clear that moving Markkanen would require a huge return. After the haul of future picks they received in the Mitchell and Gobert deals, you can bet they would demand a similar package of draft-heavy assets for their All-Star forward.
Hypothetical three-team trade proposals have already started floating around in recent weeks, some involving teams like the Lakers and the Heat. These scenarios show just how creative rival front offices might get to tempt Utah into making a deal.
Still, it’s not clear if Utah really wants to part ways with its centerpiece. Markkanen himself has expressed loyalty to the franchise and has said he wants to be part of its comeback. But as the trade deadline gets closer, his patience could wear thin if the Jazz start stumbling again.
For now, Markkanen will be the face of the Jazz when they open their season in October. Whether he finishes the year in Salt Lake City will depend entirely on Utah’s record and how aggressive other teams get.
If Stein’s prediction is right, Markkanen might finally get his shot in the playoff spotlight, but it might not be in a Jazz uniform.
