By signing Lauri Marrkanen to an extension deal, the Utah Jazz essentially guaranteed the Finnish big man that he won’t be traded for at least until the next offseason. A player who inks such a deal can’t be traded.
During an interview with ESPN, Markkanen opens up about the feeling of not having to worry about getting moved this offseason and during any point of the 2024-25 campaign.
Via Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:
Markkanen told ESPN that he was relieved to know that he won’t be discussed in trade scenarios for at least the next season.
“It’s a weight off my shoulders and I can focus only one the main thing now: playing basketball at a high level,” Markkanen told ESPN. “I don’t stress about it, but you can’t pretend you don’t hear that stuff. It’s a good feeling knowing that I’m going to be in Utah.”
Markkanen has been with the Jazz over the last two seasons after he was traded to Utah by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2022 offseason. That was the same trade that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cavs.
With the Jazz, Markkanen managed to finally become an All-Star in the 2022-23 campaign. Through two seasons in Salt Lake City, Markkanen has averaged 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 3-pointers per game. He has been deadly from deep with the Jazz, connecting on 39.1 percent of his attempts from behind the arc in his first season in Utah and 39.9 percent of his takes from range in his second season there.
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