Once the Utah Jazz's season is over, what they plan to do with Lauri Markkanen will be a hot topic. Since Markkanen will be trade-eligible, it wouldn't be shocking if rumors emerged about his trade eligibility.
It's pretty self-explanatory why he would be on the trade market. Markkanen is a win-now star on a team that actively seeks win-later stars. Markkanen will also enter the first year of a mammoth four-year extension the Jazz gave him last year.
If Markkanen was playing at the level he's played at for the last two years, it wouldn't be too hard to find him a home. But unfortunately, data from this season would support that he hasn'tHoopsHype's Frank Urbina used to explain why he named Markkanen among the players who have regressed the most during the 2024-25 season.
Urbina explained why that could be a problem.
"Versatile Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen has seen a significant dip in production this season, going from a 3.6 BPM to a -0.1 this year (the No. 100 mark league-wide) and from a 0.163 WS/48 to a 0.081 (No. 127 in the NBA). Making that particularly worrisome for Utah is the fact that the Finnish sharpshooter just signed a four-year, $220 million extension," Urbina wrote.
Urbina pointed out that Markkanen's issues this season may stem from Utah's desire to expand his game by taking him out of his comfort zone. The "Jazz are tanking to get Cooper Flagg" issue also likely contributed to Markkanen's production, but that doesn't make Urbina's points any less valid.
If trading Markkanen is in the cards this offseason, the Jazz would be trading him while his value is at its lowest since he first became a Jazzman, a stark contrast from last offseason, where his value was at its highest. Not just because he was better last season but because he was paid substantially less.
This could also point to something else.
The Jazz might not trade Markkanen period
Markkanen's regression along with his current contract may have made him untradeable by design. Markkanen has been a pleasant surprise for Utah, and he's signaled that he wants to be there for the long haul. The Jazz understand this, which may show that they don't want to get rid of someone who can play at an All-Star level that wants to be on the team.
Utah may believe that since they're playing the long-game with their rebuild, they want Markkanen to be part of their next playoff team. Since he wouldn't fetch back many assets at the moment, they may think they're better off with him than without him.
So, while there will probably be Markkanen trade rumors in the months, and don't be surprised if there's intel floating him with another Jazzman like Jordan Clarkson or Collin Sexton in a potential trade, don't be surprised if it's all scuttlebutt and nothing more.