Jazz named as suitor for star wing after Lauri Markkanen's potential extension
By Matt John
There's been a lot of talk about what Lauri Markkanen's future holds with the Utah Jazz, but not only does a trade not appear likely, but all signs are pointing to him extending with Utah. If he does, the Jazz may add some help around him.
NOLA.com's Christian Clark mentioned on "From the Wing" that the Jazz would be interested in Ingram if and when they extend Markkanen.
"Another thing I've heard is, assuming Lauri gets extended in Utah, I think it is possible the Jazz are one of the teams maybe interested in Brandon Ingram here. I think they would have some interest in Brandon Ingram, assuming Lauri stays."
Clark did not go further into what the Jazz would have to trade to get Ingram, but keeping Markkanen would signal that to some degree, the Jazz are trying to build a winner with veterans instead of the draft.
Clark outlines why Jazz would acquire Ingram
Clark explained on the podcast that the Jazz could go after Ingram if and when they come to an agreement with Markkanen.
"They can re-up Lauri. I know they have tanked and shut people down, and they've started seasons almost too well for their own good and had to backslide a little bit, but I think if they sign Lauri back up again, they could just try to go the other way and try to be more competitive in the West, and one of the ways they can do that is go out and try to get Brandon, so I think they are a team to watch for Brandon."
Clark also believes Ingram's market will pick up once the Markkanen situation resolves itself for the offseason. The reason why Markkanen is getting so much attention instead of Ingram is because of how cheap his contract is compared to Ingram, who will be owed twice as much as Markkanen will be for the 2024-25 season.
Keeping Markkanen could give the Jazz what some may believe is a "foggy outlook." However, re-signing Markkanen and then trading for Ingram gives them a bit of a direction. The prevailing notion in Utah is that their best course of action is to rebuild through the draft, but that is not a foolproof plan.
Acquiring Ingram might not be either, but the Jazz may want to form winning habits before they try to build their future via the draft.