Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen is no longer untouchable in trade conversations, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Jazz are not looking to trade Markkanen, but the 26-year-old could be had for the right price.
“And yet the Jazz are mired in an 8-16 start, prompting several teams to phone Utah’s front office in order to gauge its willingness to move Markkanen, sources said,” Fischer wrote in his NBA trade article. “The Jazz are by no means expected to trade the 7-foot sharpshooter at this juncture. He’s been a true favorite of Jazz officials, sources said. But Utah has indeed left opposing executives with the sense that Markkanen is no longer untouchable in trade conversations, league sources told Yahoo Sports, a tangible change from previous transaction windows.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
Markkanen is averaging 23.7 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists this season for the Jazz while shooting 48.7% from the field, 39.0% from beyond the arc and 82.9% from the free-throw line. He’s been in and out of the lineup because of a hamstring injury.
The Jazz are 9-16 on the season. They are in 12th place in the Western Conference standings.
Markkanen, who won the Most Improved Player of the Year Award last season, is making $17.3 million this season. He has career NBA averages of 17.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 45.7% overall, 37.2% from 3 and 85.6% from the foul line with the Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers and Jazz.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz Updates
Markkanen signed a four-year, $67 million contract with the Bulls in August 2021 as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Cavaliers. If the Jazz don’t trade the Arizona product, they could sign him to a new contract next offseason.
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