Jazz Promised Lauri Markkanen Timely Turn Toward Competing When Signing Extension

When the Utah Jazz signed Lauri Markkanen to a four-year, $220 million contract extension last August, sources say they had an understanding that the team would have “a timely turn toward competing.”

After two seasons in which the Jazz were competitive for the first half of the season before shifting toward improving lottery odds, the team has largely been non-competitive throughout the entirety of the 24-25 season. The Jazz were recently fined by the NBA for keeping Markkanen out of games he was healthy enough to play.

Markkanen was ineligible to be traded this season due to the date of his contract extension, but he becomes trade eligible again in the offseason. Markkanen turns 28 in May and is signed through 28-29 with no options for either player or team.