After Lauri Markkanen dominated EuroBasket from start to finish, many speculate that this could lead to trade rumors throughout the season for the Utah Jazz star. No matter what happens, Austin Ainge made it clear during Jazz Media Day that Markkanen is here to stay in Utah.
During Media Day, Ainge made it clear that the plan is to keep the Jazz star for the long haul.
"Lauri is awesome. He's really good, and Lauri could and hopefully is part of our next teams going up," Ainge told reporters. "... We hope to have him around here long term. He's been a huge asset to our organization."
Austin Ainge on Lauri Markkanen trade rumors:
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) September 29, 2025
"Lauri is awesome. He's really good, and Lauri could and hopefully is part of our next teams going up ... We hope to have him around here long term. He's been a huge asset to our organization."#takenote | @utahjazz | @kslsportszone
This isn't too far off from the previous update on the Jazz's long-term stance on Markkanen, but now the masses have heard it directly from the horse's mouth. The Jazz star isn't going anywhere. No matter how anyone else feels on the situation, Markkanen is a star that cannot be easily replaced.
He is on a rebuilding team who has embraced its youth more and more over the last few years, but if the Jazz had no interest in keeping Markkanen, they never would have extended him in the first place. He knew the risk when he took that deal, and until further notice, both he and the Jazz have no qualms with their union.
Expect rumors, but no trade this season
Because the Jazz are still going to be bad, there will be plenty of think pieces about why they should trade Markkanen - there already have been since his EuroBasket performance - but they have him signed on to the team for the next four years.
Utah doesn't have much of a rush to trade him because they will be bad whether he's on the team or not. This season will be all about trying to figure out who should be on the team long-term. Markkanen is the team's best player, and what Utah will ask itself is whether it's worth keeping him.
It's very possible management may go back on what it said, but don't expect that to happen this season. Markkanen will be around many different players this season, and if he fits well with the Jazz's youth, there's no need to get rid of him unless that's exactly what he wants.
It's why a trade could definitely happen in 2026 if the Jazz think that's the best direction for them, but unless someone gives Utah an offer it can't refuse, don't expect an in-season deal.