Lauri Markkanen Inks New Deal with Jazz Amid Rising Tensions Around Team Direction
Salt Lake City, UT — The Utah Jazz have officially agreed to a new contract extension with All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen, solidifying his place as the franchise cornerstone for the foreseeable future. The deal, announced Sunday afternoon, is seen as a major commitment by both the player and the organization, even as questions continue to swirl around the team’s long-term strategy.
Markkanen, 27, had one year left on his current contract and was eligible for an extension this offseason. According to sources, the new deal is expected to keep him in Utah through the 2028–29 season, with a significant salary bump reflective of his All-Star level performance since arriving in Salt Lake City in 2022.
The Finnish forward averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and shot nearly 40% from three in the 2024–25 season, proving once again that he’s among the NBA’s elite scoring forwards. His consistency and versatility have made him a fan favorite in Utah and a vital piece of the team’s core. But the new deal comes amid growing uncertainty about the Jazz’s direction — and a lingering “what if” from the past season.
Last summer, Utah came under fire for refusing to trade Markkanen to the Golden State Warriors despite interest from the Bay Area franchise. Multiple reports confirmed that the Warriors made a serious push for the 7-footer, hoping to pair him with Stephen Curry in one last title run. On a recent episode of The Kevin O’Connor Show, both O’Connor and Chris Mannix revisited that decision, noting the sharp contrast between Utah’s youth-laden roster and Markkanen’s win-now prime.
“At some point, you either build around the guy or you cash in your chips,” Mannix said. “Utah didn’t do either last year, and now they’re doubling down with this new deal.”
O’Connor added, “Keeping Markkanen always made sense if you were going to accelerate the rebuild. But instead, they drafted young, held onto their picks, and now you’re paying a star to sit in the middle of the Western Conference.”
The Jazz currently boast a promising but raw group of young players, including Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks, and Walker Kessler. However, none have yet emerged as consistent co-stars to complement Markkanen, raising concerns about the timeline mismatch between their development and Markkanen’s peak years.
Still, the organization insists that keeping Markkanen was never just about wins and losses. Jazz GM Justin Zanik praised the forward’s leadership and work ethic, calling him “the culture-setter” for the franchise.
“Lauri has embraced everything about being in Utah — the community, the fans, the challenge of building something meaningful here,” Zanik said in a statement. “This extension reflects how much we value not just his talent, but who he is as a person.”
For Markkanen, the extension also brings stability after years of being seen as a movable piece. From Chicago to Cleveland to Utah, the 7-footer has finally found a home.
“I’ve always said I believe in what we’re building here,” Markkanen said. “It’s not always a straight line, but I’m committed to helping this team grow into a contender.”
Whether the Jazz accelerate their rebuild or eventually pivot, Markkanen is now locked in — for better or for a longer rebuild.
