Even though the Utah Jazz lost their third game in a row at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, Lauri Markkanen dominated the Dubs, which yet again makes them look stupid for not getting him when they had the chance. Owner Ryan Smith shouted out Markkanen after the game, and in so doing, confirms the Jazz's plans to build around him.
This has been talked about enough, but Marc Stein revealed that Smith's actions pretty much confirmed what he had already reported: the Jazz's plan is to build around Markkanen, not capitalize on his trade value.
"Smith took to Twitter during Utah's game Saturday to laud Markkanen for the ease with which he quickly racked up 30 of his eventual 35 points in a loss to Golden State and used the scoring outburst as the justification to campaign for a second career All-Star berth for the 7-foot Finn.
"Markkanen responded with postgame thanks below that only adds to the notion that, as we've been writing here for weeks now, Utah wants to add to a core that features the 2023 All-Star and the fast-rising Keyonte George rather than make Markkanen available for a trade before the deadline," Stein wrote.
My guy 🤞🏼 https://t.co/UNBysmk5zH
— Lauri Markkanen (@MarkkanenLauri) January 4, 2026
It's pretty nice of Smith to go out of his way to let Markkanen know how much he appreciates what the Finnish star does for the team. Especially because he doesn't have to, but giving him this kind of shoutout confirms that it would be shocking at this point if the Jazz changed their mind.
That doesn't mean they won't, but if they do, it won't be for a while.
Don't get it confused though
Some may misinterpret Stein's intel because it's very easy to get a different impression from intel. He says the Jazz want to add to the Markkanen/George duo, and that makes sense. However, him saying they would rather add to the team instead of trading Markkanen before the deadline should not be interpreted to add to the current core before the deadline.
The emphasis was on Markkanen not going anywhere and that the Jazz plan to build around him, but because of extenuating circumstances, that won't be until the offseason. That'll be because Utah can use its max cap space to sign a big name free agent and re-sign Walker Kessler.
Markkanen, George, Kessler, Ace Bailey, marquee free agent, and presumably high lottery pick all have the makings of a team that will fight for the postseason next season. Yeah, Jazz fans will have to wait a little longer, but now there's a light at the end of the tunnel.