After it had already been pretty much confirmed days beforehand, Lauri Markkanen has officially extended with the Utah Jazz. So, now that the Jazz's biggest domino has officially fallen, now they have the rest of the offseason to think about.
By keeping Markkanen, the Jazz are still sending rather ambiguous signals about their direction. They still have a variety of moves they can make. Funny enough, shortly after they extended Markkanen, Spotrac's Keith Smith reported what the Jazz did next via his X account.
In order to create the cap space to renegotiation-and-extend Lauri Markkanen, the Utah Jazz renounced the free agents Talen Horton-Tucker and Kira Lewis Jr., a league source told @spotrac.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 7, 2024
But of course, moves like define the word "inconsequential." Hence, there are other moves to make before training camp starts.
1. Trade for Brandon Ingram
Ingram has been linked to the Jazz for some time now. He's been in the trade rumor mill for most of the offseason, but he's still with the Pelicans. Ingram wouldn't make sense on the Jazz if their plan was to get rid of Markkanen.
Does he make all the sense in the world now that they're keeping him? The brutally honest answer is, well, maybe? However, thinking more about it, Ingram can't really hurt much if the Jazz stink with him and if he succeeds, it's another step forward.
There are multiple reasons why the Jazz should look into acquiring Ingram. Re-signing Markkanen to a max extension signals that they don't want to put up a complete loser on the court. Pairing him with Ingram could at the very least show that they have some direction.
Even if those two don't pair well together, the Jazz could at least flip for more assets, but that's thinking way too far ahead of time.
2. Find a trade partner for Jordan Clarkson
Yeah, it's very confusing to suggest the Jazz go after Ingram, then trade Clarkson knowing both are chiseled NBA vets. Here's the difference between the two of them.
Besides the fact that Ingram is more esteemed than Clarkson, Ingram is just about to enter his prime while Clarkson is likely exiting it. Also, at this point, knowing how much young talent the Jazz possess, Clarkson's presence gets in the way of their development.
That also begs the question of why Collin Sexton and John Collins aren't included with Sexton here. Well, because they're still relatively young, trading them isn't the pressing need that trading Clarkson is.
This isn't a knock on Clarkson at all. It goes without saying that he should be on a team that is vying for a title, which definitely isn't Utah and won't be for some time. It's just that, if there's one player who does not fit the Jazz's timeline, it's him.
3. Sign one or two of the top free agents remaining
The best free agents from this offseason have already signed on with their next teams. However, there are still plenty of solid players still free on the market. Better yet, these players are young enough that it's no skin off the Jazz's nose to give them a flyer.
Lonnie Walker was a playoff hero for the Lakers literally just a year ago and he's only 25. Markelle Fultz will never live up to his billing as the No. 1 pick, but he made progress in Orlando. Even if it would be for sentimental purposes, could the Jazz do worse than bringing Jae Crowder back?
There are plenty of others out there who the Jazz could bring in just for a simple short-term flyer. Signing any of the free agents still available could help the Jazz form winning habits and/or be flipped into more assets down the line.
If the Jazz do nothing from here one out, no one would blame them. After extending Markkanen, it wouldn't surprise anyone if the only moves they make is signing their rookies to standard contracts.
But if the Jazz are trying to form a team that, even if it won't win many games, will still make them competitive, these are moves they should look into.