Jazz F Lauri Markkanen Shooting for Supermax Contract

All-Star Forward Lauri Markkanen’s big pay day is coming.

The Utah Jazz have been quiet regarding signing Lauri Markkanen to an extension. Utah’s best player currently is owed 35.3 million over the next two years before he becomes an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2025.

Utah will likely lock Markkenen up before he reaches unrestricted free-agent status, but will Markkanen be eligible for a supermax deal?

The supermax contract allows teams to re-sign qualified players to maximum five-year contracts worth up to 35% of the salary cap with an 8% yearly increase. Players also have to be in the final year or two of their current deals to be eligible. 

Markannen would be eligible for 30% of the salary cap if he makes All-NBA this year because this season is his seventh year in the league. Considering he was one player from making it last season, the odds look better than a coin flip it will happen.

Against other forwards in the league this season, Markkanen ranks fifth in points per game, fifth in individual efficiency, first in three-pointers per game, and sixth in rebounds. It’s trending to be a resume that will get the All-NBA nod.

Whether Markkanen chose to bet on himself heading into the 2023-24 season is unknown, but barring an unforeseen injury, it looks like the right decision.

Markkanen could still play it safe and sign a max deal during the season. It’s no guarantee he’ll make the All-NBA Team with players like Kevin Durant and Zion Williamson throwing their names in the mix this year, but don’t bet on it. 

If Markkanen does fall short of All-NBA, a max contract is nothing to sneeze at. Instead of getting 30% of the salary cap, Markkanen would qualify for 25%. A ‘one in the hand, two in the bush approach’ might be best, rather than rolling the dice one more year. 

That said, Jazz fans need not worry about Markkanen skipping town for greener pastures. However, it’s going to cost Jazz owner Ryan Smith a pretty penny to keep him in Dodge. 

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