Overview
- Multiple front offices told Marc Stein they believe Utah is likelier to seek additions to a Markkanen-led core this trade season than to move the All-Star forward.
- Markkanen is averaging roughly 28.5 points per game in a career-best scoring start and has yet to log an NBA playoff minute.
- Utah has opened 6-13, renewing questions about its timeline even as the organization signals interest in becoming more competitive again.
- The Jazz owe a top‑eight protected first-round pick to the Thunder, a constraint that complicates any push to bottom out for draft position.
- Interest from suitors such as Detroit and the Lakers faces headwinds as Utah’s stance raises the asking price, reinforced by Markkanen’s five-year, $238 million extension signed in 2024.