Jazz insider dispels popular but false narrative about Lauri Markkanen

There's been a narrative going around that Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen doesn't have much trade value lately. However, despite his disappointing season and expensive long-term contract, The Athletic's Tony Jones refuted that notion and revealed that it's the opposite.

Markkanen's play fell off a bit this year after two fantastic years with the Jazz. He's also about to start an expensive four-year contract extension worth almost $200 million, which wouldn't exactly look good if the Jazz's plans are to trade him. Jones made it clear that such notion isn't the plan, and if it was, the Jazz wouldn't dump him.

Following a piece proposing five Markkanen-centered trades, Jones bluntly stated that the Jazz would give him up for absolutely nothing in all of them.

Despite assertions that Markkanen's value is not what it was, Jones asserted that it's still quite positive so much so that no one should expect him to be traded unless the Jazz get something back.

Many wonder if it's the best idea to keep Markkanen because he's a star on a team with many youthful players. Jones refuted that as well.

Jones also clarified a misunderstanding regarding the trade rumors involving Markkanen last year, further stating Markkanen's value is still high now as it was then.

Lastly, Jones revealed that because the Jazz have changed course, that only makes Markkanen more valuable.

Whether potential trade partners hold Markkanen's most recent season against him or not, the Jazz clearly see him as the player that played at an All-Star level for the last two years. That's still an awesome player who would be hard to give up unless they know they're getting the most value possible for him.

Markkanen's long-term status in Utah could change with time, but from what Jones says here, it's clear the Jazz won't get rid of him just because. That does leave one question though.

If Markkanen's staying, what does that mean for the rest of the roster?

The Jazz have made it clear through Austin Ainge that they don't plan to tank next season. We will see how true that statement is when the draft and free agency unfold, but until this upcoming season proves otherwise, fans won't see a repeat of what happened this season. Jones' words on Markkanen further reinforce this notion.

So does that mean that they will see through what they have in their youth, or will they use them, plus the draft assets at their disposal, to acquire more proven talent? Utah has tried to balance Markkanen, along with their other veterans, and their youth movement, which led to a frustrating two years of a foot in two places.

It was hard to watch the Jazz compete to only just barely miss the play-in and not get a very high lottery pick in the process. They then went all-in on the tank only to see their miserable lottery luck continue in 2025.

While Jones made it clear that Markkanen's not getting dumped and the Jazz have made it clear they're not taking, what's unclear is what they hope to accomplish in 2026.