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Lauri Markkanen wants the Utah Jazz in the playoffs and nothing less for 2024

By Chad Porto

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 02: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz speaks during the Utah Jazz Media Day at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on October 02, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - OCTOBER 02: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz speaks during the Utah Jazz Media Day at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on October 02, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
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The star of the Utah Jazz sees the team having a big 2023-2024 season.

One of the biggest news stories last year was the surprise emergence of Lauri Markkanen as the face of the Utah Jazz. He had his first 25-point-per-game season and his first year as an All-Star, establishing him as a star on the rise in the NBA. Now, Markkanen is hoping the Utah Jazz have a similar type of season for the 2023-2024 campaign.

Markkanen spoke to the media this week during the Jazz’s Media Day and told the world that he will not settle for anything less than the playoffs this year for the Jazz. He describes making the playoffs as a “goal” and that he’s “shooting as high as possible” when it comes to expectations for the season.

Markkanen is quoted as saying (via KSL.com)

"That’s that’s the goal. That’s what we’re trying to work towards. I still haven’t made the playoffs. So that’s really one thing that I’m looking forward to, getting on that stage and really experiencing that but yeah, that’s the one motivator for us.…I always say at least playoffs. I mean, I’m shooting as high as possible. I don’t like thinking about coming up short,. So I’m saying for us at least a playoff berth for us is showing that we’re progressing and going in the right direction. I want that Larry O’Brien trophy. At the end of the day that’s what I’m here for. That’s what I’m playing this game for."

Markkanen’s quest for the Larry O’Brien trophy, the trophy given to the team that wins the NBA Finals in a given year, is lofty and unlikely; at least for this year. The team is too young to know for sure what guys can bring, and the team still needs to solidify the point guard spot. So it’s not likely the Jazz are viable contenders for that award; yet.

Making the playoffs, however, is very likely and something that the Jazz and its fans should be expecting and frankly demanding, this team to do. The team has plenty of draft picks for years to come, many of whom may be very high picks, so the need to tank doesn’t exist here. If they’re good enough as is, and can make moves to get better, without impacting their future, then they should.

This is a franchise that is historically known for being competitive year to year, across varying eras. Now is not the time to buck that trend.

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