The Utah Jazz entered the 2025-26 NBA season with low expectations after finishing at the bottom of the Western Conference last season with a 17-65 record, which was the worst in the league.
Despite this, Utah has shown improvements this season as they currently sit 10th in the West standings with a 10-15 record.
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Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George (3), forward Lauri Markkanen (23), and forward Taylor Hendricks (0)Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Of course, the Jazz have built a solid core led by Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, who is the midst of a breakout season, Ace Bailey and Kyle Filipowski, along with Walker Kessler who is set to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.
While the Jazz have taken another step forward this season, they have still seen multiple players be in trade rumors, especially Markkanen, who has been in trade rumors over the past few seasons.
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Despite the ongoing trade rumors, the Jazz may elect to keep some of their players, though they may be open to moving some veterans to add more young talent to their roster to help with their rebuild.
Lauri Markkanen’s Future With Jazz Receives Major Update
For Markkanen, he has been the subject of trade rumors for multiple seasons and while he is still in trade rumors ahead of this season’s trade deadline, it appears as though the Jazz have a clear standpoint on his future in Utah according to a recent report.
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Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (23) and head coach Will Hardy© Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
On Tuesday, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported that the Jazz view Markkanen as a key part of their future and that they plan on holding onto him and building around him for the future.
“Lauri draws a ton of interest from around the league. But right now, Utah wants to hold on to him and really try to make a run for the future, to improve this team and start to win,” Scotto wrote.
This is a massive report by Scotto as it appears as though one of the key potential headliners of the upcoming trade deadline in February may be staying put in Utah as the Jazz are looking to keep Markkanen on their roster for the future.
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This season, the 28-year-old forward is averaging 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 35.2% from three.
Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen© Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
Markkanen is putting together arguably the best season of his nine-year NBA career and while he has boosted his trade price, it is clear that the Jazz are looking at him to be the focal point of their future alongside George and the rest of their young core.
Because of this, Utah may elect to move on from some of their veteran players this season such as Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson and Jusuf Nurkic to add more young talent to their roster as they try to turn the franchise around with Markkanen leading the way.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Dec 16, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.