Report: Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen ‘Off the Market’ Amid NBA Trade Deadline

The Utah Jazz All-Star does not seem to be going anywhere ahead of the looming deadline.

Leading up to the highly-anticipated NBA trade deadline for this season, reports initially surfaced pinning the Utah Jazz potentially not labeling forward Lauri Markkanen as an “untouchable” asset. Effectively, it gained some traction on the rumor mill surrounding a potential deal revolving around the 1x All-Star.

However, just under a month before the deadline hits, it seems those talks are all but dead.

According to a report from Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, Markkanen, along with former Jazz and now Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell, are not expected to be moved during the deadline:

You won’t see All-Stars Donovan Mitchell or Lauri Markkanen. As of right now — again, things are fluid this time of year — my impression from talking to league sources is that the Cleveland Cavaliers are planning to ride out this season with Mitchell. Meanwhile, the price tag on Markkanen is so high that it effectively takes him off the market, especially with how well the Utah Jazz have played recently.

It’s hard to picture any move involving Markkanen as is, considering the type of streak Utah has been on as of late. They’ve won 14 of their past 18 games, coming out on top in their past five against top contenders like the Milwaukee Bucks, Denver Nuggets, and Philadelphia 76ers.

The package for any team attempting to acquire the services of Markkanen is also too steep for anyone to meet in the middle of the season. Reports detailed that the Jazz would have to receive a ‘massive haul’ in return to consider a move involving Lauri, and that just isn’t on the market.

As Vecenie detailed, of course, things are fluid this time of year, but it doesn’t seem as if Danny Ainge has any interest in facilitating a move for Markkanen at this time. Instead, Utah will look to continue to build around their Finnish star with aspirations to re-negotiate and extend his contract as soon as this summer rolls around.

A squad of Markkanen, surrounded by a promising and continuously improving young core, can prove to be a dangerous team to face in the West in due time. So far through 2024, it’s already looked as if that’s been the case.

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