Among the biggest comforts for the Utah Jazz this season has been Lauri Markkanen looking not just like his old self again, but potentially better than ever. Markkanen is putting up a career-high 30.4 points per game, and while that will probably come down a tad once the sample size gets bigger, the Jazz have every reason to believe that his electric scoring may be here to stay.
Markkanen has been on a tear offensively, and it's actually ranked him among the Jazz greats. The team confirmed his scoring outputs put him with one of the best players in both Jazz and NBA history.
Lauri Markkanen has recorded 20+ points in all eight games to start the season. That is the longest such streak by a Jazz player since Karl Malone in 1997-98 🏔️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/9DePsdlYO9
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) November 7, 2025
It's because the Jazz offense is centered around giving Markkanen the best scoring opportunities possible. That's not just about putting him in iso, but rather on catch-and-shoot opportunities, where Markkanen averages 10 of his points from doing that, accounting for basically a third.
It's helped that part of Markkanen's improvement has been due to a clean bill of health, but also that he's now playing beside an improved version of Keyonte George, who has been able to find him in the right spots with his improved playmaking abilities.
Besides him, the Jazz have the NBA-ready Walter Clayton Jr., who can run things in the second unit with Markkanen. Plus, Isaiah Collier's return should give Markkanen more opportunities to thrive when he plays off the ball. It's fair to assume that Utah has the playmaking personnel to keep opponents guessing when it comes to Markkanen's ability to score.
Odds are, Markkanen won't finish the season averaging over 30 points, but don't be surprised if he ends up with a career-high when it's all said and done. The question may be if it's all said and done in Utah.
It proves why he isn't so easy to trade
We have always said that Markkanen is not just a star but a unique one too. Not many seven-footers can score like Markkanen can, as he can run isos while also thriving off the ball. Him thriving within the team's schemes proves how adaptable he is no matter what.
That's why he's been in so many trade scenarios, because there's a fair argument that no matter where he plays, he would fit like a glove. He may not necessarily be a franchise player, but he is a game-changer for any playoff team. It's just a shame that that may not be Utah this season.
Because Markkanen's high-scoring abilities appear to be sustainable, that will likely fuel plenty of trade rumors this season if the Jazz continue to struggle. Walker Kessler's prolonged absence may ensure just that, but that level of consistent offensive production would be hard for any team to part ways with.