Everyone and their mother knows by now that a Lauri Markkanen trade isn't happening for the Utah Jazz this season. That's been public knowledge for some time now. However, the latest wrinkle on Markkanen isn't just that he's staying a Jazzman, but rather that Utah intends to add to the team around him.
NBA Insider Marc Stein revealed that teams around the NBA believe that Utah doesn't intend to trade Markkanen, but in fact, wants to put more talented players around him
"Difficult as it can be for rival teams to read the intentions of a front office that now houses Austin Ainge as well as Danny Ainge, more teams than not that we speak to are increasingly convinced that the Jazz are more likely to try to add to their Markkanen-led core this Trade Season rather than trade Markkanen away," Stein wrote.
The Jazz have already added some help around Markkanen, like Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey. It remains to be seen what's to come from the likes of Isaiah Collier, Brice Sensabaugh, and Kyle Filipowski, but they have shown the team something since the Jazz picked them in the draft. Nonetheless, they have the start of something promising, but will clearly need more than that.
This has actually been the case ever since Markkanen exploded in Utah three seasons ago. Despite all the topsy-turvy results Utah has had from 2023 onward, the plans have remain unchanged. Only one question remains.
What player should the Jazz add to this core?
George looks like he could be the future lead guard for Utah. Bailey looks like he could be the wing scorer complement Markkanen has always needed beside him. Kessler looks like he could be the NBA's best non-scoring two-way big, but it appears as though his staying in Utah is not so cut and dry after all.
Either he'll stay a Jazzman, or they will trade him for an upgrade it seems. Regardless, the Jazz will obviously need more than just them to round the edges. Utah should try to find another star that should fit next to some of their best players without getting in their way. The team will also need glue guys that do the little things that makes a team tougher to stop.
There's no telling who will be out there, but Stein's intel suggests the Jazz will be buyers for the foreseeable future. Utah has the assets to add someone who could change the team's fortunes in an instant. They may not get someone right away (because they really don't have to), but all of this could be early indications of a very fun offseason ahead for the Jazz.