The Utah Jazz are No. 6 in the tanking race, giving them a 96% chance of keeping their pick, and they are well-positioned to improve those odds. Even so, the Jazz aren't tanking, I mean, taking any chances of potentially improving their record. That's why the latest report on Lauri Markkanen feels like the final measure they'll take to ensure their tank
The Salt Lake Tribune's Kevin Reynolds was the first to report that Markkanen suffered a new injury during practice, and he will undergo an MRI on his hip and ankle. This actually does sound like it really happened.
Let's make one thing clear: if this is legitimate, then here's to hoping Markkanen makes a full recovery and that it's not too serious. There will be more details about the full extent of his injury in due time.
It's very possible this is a season-ending injury, given how little is left in the regular season, but given the direction the Jazz have been going over the past few weeks, it's also possible that, while Markkanen is hurt, Utah may use this as an excuse to hold him out of games.
At this point, would it surprise anyone if they did that? The Jazz have used this strategy before, and it helped them secure the highest possible pick. No one should be insensitive about what Markkanen is going through, but no one should be shocked if his newest injury isn't too big of a deal, but won't stop the Jazz from keeping him out of games anyway.
Utah's best option is keeping the sixth-best odds or higher
The Jazz may be in good position to keep their pick now, but the moves that the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies signaled that they are rebuilding too. They are a few games below the Jazz in the tanking race, but it's likely they will go all out to ensure the best odds for them as well.
That's why Utah is more than happy to have players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Jusuf Nurkic, and maybe Markkanen be out indefinitely for the rest of the season. They know it's in their best interest not to take any chances of letting Memphis and Dallas move up.
If it weren't for the OKC protections, they probably wouldn't care as much as they do, but that's the only way they can adjust properly to the situation they're in.
It's a shame Markkanen was yet again shelved in a season where he looked his old self again, but hey, this should be the last year that happens.