The Utah Jazz have had a busy offseason so far with multiple players being traded away.
Colin Sexton, John Collins and Jordan Clarkson were all key players for the Utah Jazz, but the organization decided to blow the team up this summer.
They obtained Kevin Love and Kyle Anderson as part of a trade that saw Collins move to the LA Clippers, but both veterans could also be on their way out.
Under the coaching of Will Hardy, the Jazz have shown a lot of promise, but still finished at the bottom of the Western Conference last season.
They drafted controversial Rutgers star Ace Bailey as the fifth pick and rumors have it that they plan on continuing to build through the draft.
Amid all the news around the trades, NBA Insider Brian Windhorst thinks there is another star that the Jazz could end up trading to obtain a few more assets.
Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty ImagesWindhorst thinks Jazz could trade Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen is one of the most talented players on the Jazz roster and was involved in multiple trade talks last season.
However, he signed a four-year $195 million guaranteed contract last season, which kept him off the market for at least last season.
Markkanen, who won the 2023 Most Improved Player of the Year award, did not have the best of seasons statistically with the Jazz in the 2024-25 campaign.
He averaged 19 PPG, 5.9 RPG and shot only 34.6% from three-point range; all of which are significantly lower than his numbers in the 2023-24 season.
Speaking on his contract and future with the Jazz, Windhorst said: “Markkanen signed a massive contract extension before last season. And you know, from what I know in talking to people around him, his expectation was that he knew the Jazz were rebuilding, but he was expecting them to start powering up.
“What it looks like they’re doing here is powering to be chasing AJ Dybantsa in the draft.
“Markkanen didn’t have his best year last year. I don’t know if his value is as high as it was a year ago, when there were teams like the Golden State Warriors knocking on the Jazz’s door.
Utah Jazz might trade Markkanen soon
Markkanen is 28 and only entering his prime, which would make him more beneficial for a contender instead of playing for the Jazz.
While his demand may not be much as high as last year, he could still help contending teams with his brilliance from three-point range and scoring.
Lauri Markkanen scoring 27 PTS on 66 TS% versus the Spurs in early November of last season
A good reminder that all of our young players look better when this dude is on the floor pic.twitter.com/LZslQ8ykgo
— Jazz Lead (@JazzLead) July 6, 2025
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“But I gotta wonder what the future of Markkanen is. He’s got a bunch of money on his contract, like around 190 million over the next four years.
“Not a clean and simple trade, but I gotta wonder if the Jazz aren’t going to be taking some calls if not now, certainly, into this season.
“Their actions indicate they’re not building towards a team around Lauri Markkanen,” Windhorst added.
SeasonPoints ReboundsThree-Point shooting2024-25195.934.6%2023-2423.28.239.9%2022-2325.68.639.1%
The Warriors would certainly benefit from having a player of Markkanen’s ability, they already have an expensive roster with Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, both earning close to $120 million combined.
Additionally, they have a Jonathan Kuminga decision to make, which will not be an easy one.
With all of them still on the team, it is difficult to imagine the Dubs could afford Markkanen, who is set to earn $46.3 million next year.
The likes of Detroit Pistons, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets could facilitate a move for Markkanen, but it remains to be seen what the Jazz would want in exchange for their star player.