SALT LAKE CITY – Welcome to the Utah Jazz mailbag, where this week we explore why Lauri Markkanen trade rumors continue to arise in NBA circles.
Each week, we will send out a prompt on X and BlueSky asking for the questions you have about the Jazz.
Then, we’ll respond to as many as we can in that week’s Jazz mailbag in the Jazz Notes podcast.
Jazz Mailbag: Why Are There So Many Lauri Markkanen Trade Rumors
What do you have to say about the media throwing around Lauri trade rumors left and right, but what Austin Ainge said at media days seems contradictory of all these reports?
— Spence Johnson (@sportyspence17) October 13, 2025
Question: What do you have to say about the media throwing around Lauri Markkanen trade rumors left and right, when what Austin Ainge said at media days seems to contradict all of these reports?
Answer: Quickly, let’s fill newcomers in on the background behind the Markkanen trade rumors before we address where the former All-Star stands with the Jazz today.
In the summer of 2024, reports emerged that the Jazz had listened to calls on Markkanen before renegotiating and extending his contract for an amount exceeding $200 million.
Due to the timing of the extension, the forward couldn’t be traded during the 2024-25 season, but has been eligible to be moved once again this summer.
Last week, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reported that “Utah passed on an offer from Golden State for Markkanen in the summer of 2024, believing a stronger market would materialize. It didn’t, and right now there is a belief that the Jazz are very open for business on their 28-year-old ex-All-Star.”
After Mannix’s report, I was told firmly by someone close to the Jazz, “We’re not trading Lauri Markkanen.”
Despite reports today, I was told bluntly that the @utahjazz aren’t trading Lauri Markkanen.
While team needs change and everyone is available for the right price, I don’t get the sense that trading Lauri is a priority.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) October 8, 2025
But, as mentioned in the mailbag, why does the national media continue to speculate about Markkanen’s future in Utah, even though it contradicts what Jazz President of Basketball Operations Austin Ainge said at media day?
Ironically, part of what Ainge said may be the reason for the rumors.
“Part of the greatness of Lauri is that he fits with anyone. He is so versatile at his size that he can fit with however we can build this thing — he can fit literally on any team,” Ainge said.
Jazz Mailbag: Did EuroBasket increase Lauri Markkanen’s trade value?
That plug-and-play role as a floor spacer, seven-footer, and potential 20-point-per-game scorer is exactly why Markkanen continues to be both the apple of the eye of many front offices around the NBA and an easy name to speculate over in trade rumors.
Unlike Trae Young, another All-Star caliber floor spacer who gets mentioned in trade rumors most seasons, Markkanen doesn’t require a specific offensive and defensive system to maximize his abilities.
While some teams may be able to provide him with more shots than others, or others may be able to support him with better defense, the Finnish big man doesn’t require a roster to be retooled around him.
ace swipes, lauri scores & those white uniforms are lookin’ great pic.twitter.com/wTKhg4koNv
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) October 14, 2025
Young, on the other hand, is an offensive system unto his own, one that requires a specific type of rim-rolling big man to partner with in the pick and roll, oversized players around him to compensate for his lack of size, and stellar defenders to cover up his dramatic shortcomings.
The Atlanta Hawks guard is still a terrific talent, but isn’t a great match for a lot of teams around the league.
Could The Jazz Trade Markkanen?
Now, while I’ve been told that the Jazz aren’t trading Markkanen, and Ainge’s comments at media day are to be taken at face value, we know that every player can be had for the right price.
While I don’t believe the Jazz are actively shopping Markkanen, they owe it to themselves to listen to any offers that come their way.
With parity at an all-time high in the NBA, and teams continuing to make big swings in the trade market (see the Dallas Mavericks and Anthony Davis, the New York Knicks and Mikal Bridges, and the Orlando Magic and Desmond Bane), it would be irresponsible to make any player on the roster untouchable.
Ace Bailey catch-and-shoot triple 🎯
Watch Mavs vs. Jazz on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/HFn2qsDuQ6
— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2025
Though the Jazz remain flush with future draft capital and have a roster full of young players, they aren’t in a position to turn their noses up at an opportunity to get better.
It seems unlikely the team would move Markkanen simply for more swing in the dark players, they could try to consolidate their timeline if a more proven young star were to become available.
Ultimately, roster moves are more common than ever before, including the frequency with which star players are traded. Over a long enough period of time, the likelihood that Markkanen gets traded only rises.
But as of training camp 2025, both Markkanen and the Jazz seem happy in their marriage, and fans shouldn’t stress too much about trade rumors.
Want to ask questions in next week’s Jazz mailbag? Follow us at @benshoops.
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Ben Anderson is the author of the Jazz Mailbag, a Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports, the author of the Jazz Mailbag, and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone . Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.