Lauri Markkanen Trade Looming for Utah Jazz

Merlin sees the Jazz quietly positioning Lauri Markkanen for a move in 2025-26. SI’s Chris Mannix reports Utah is "very open for business" after turning down a Warriors offer in 2024; Markkanen signed a four-year, $195.8 million extension in August 2024 but has slipped to 19.0 points and a career-low 47 games amid injuries and a shooting decline. Merlin senses the motive: a crowded young core — Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks and others — needs minutes to grow, and veterans like Markkanen can block that path. Moving him would hurt short-term results and require absorbing a large contract, yet it could accelerate a genuine rebuild and clear playing time for the franchise’s future.