Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge said they have no interest Extending Lauri Markkanen’s Contract, He is Leaving

Utah Jazz CEO Danny Ainge said they have no interest Extending Lauri Markkanen’s Contract, He is Leaving

As the Utah Jazz team enters the summer, there are a lot of shifting pieces. Regarding the best course of action going ahead, the front staff has given conflicting signals to its fan base.

One thing is certain: there is a good probability Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen will sign an extension this summer. Markkanen may play for the Jazz once his current deal expires, according to hints made by Jazz CEO Danny Ainge during his year-end news conference.

Lauri Markkanen is obviously a really talented player, in Ainge’s opinion. “We adore him. It would be nice to have him here.

Jazz supporters will be happy to hear Ainge’s comments since they want Utah to start the upcoming season with their best foot forward. Utah was thought to be a potential disaster in the 2024–25 season, given the anticipated loaded 2025 draft class. This does not, however, imply that the Jazz front staff will not make a trade deadline move, as they have done the past two years.

So, what will happen to Markkanen next? Although Utah’s best player is still under club control for the 2025–2026 campaign, if Ainge’s remarks are accurate, we should expect a contract extension this summer. In the summer of 2025, Markkanen will become a free agent, and if Utah delays, they risk losing him.

Thus, Utah finds itself in a similar predicament as the previous two years if Markkanen and Collin Sexton are included in the starting five. They aren’t good enough to cause a stir in the playoffs, but they are too talented to fall short of a top-five draft choice.

The moment may be ideal to build around Markkanen with some of the draft capital obtained in the deals for Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell. Although they might not be in the running for the title, this does remove Utah from the discussion of tanking. One move away might mean important late-season basketball for the Jazz.

Perhaps now would be a good moment for Utah to make a bold move ahead, with teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors becoming older. Pay attention.