The Utah Jazz got the beating of a lifetime at the hands of the Charlotte Hornets last night. The Hornets aren't exactly world-beaters (they're so talented that it's kind of a mystery that they're as bad as they are), but the Jazz were undermanned. Among those who missed the game was Lauri Markkanen, and the Jazz getting eviscerated at home to a team almost as bad as them shows why Utah's not trading him.
The loss puts the Jazz at 13-25 and 0-6 without Markkanen, per StatMuse. It's pretty clear the Jazz are executing this strategy to both tank and keep their pick away from Oklahoma City, but these numbers show why it's effective. With Markkanen, Utah is clearly a better team, so it's why he's been "out with injury" for multiple stretches over the last few years.
There are other numbers that only paint the picture even clearer. Since Utah acquired Markkanen back in 2022, they are 22-62 without him over the past three-plus seasons, per StatMuse. One may point out that of course, a team plays worse without its best player, but there have also been times where it's clear that teams can manage just fine without him.
In Utah's case, the team can't handle itself well without Markkanen, confirming precisely why he's not going anywhere. He could be had, but only at a price that a suitor would probably deem too rich for their comfort.
This should comfort Jazz fans for when they go all-in next season
Utah being demonstrably worse when Markkanen doesn't play should only hype Jazz fans for the future after this season. It's become pretty clear that Utah will be done tanking after this season. Their youth will be one year older, Walker Kessler will (likely) return, they will have a high lottery pick, and they might get a big-name free agent in the summer.
Add that to Markkanen and the ascending Keyonte George, and the Jazz should be in good position to contend for the play-in at the very least. By not resting Markkanen, Utah on paper will be so much better. Yes, this will come at the cost of this current season becoming infinitely less watchable, but the fans are aware that this strategy should be worth it in the end.
Markkanen proved this season that he is still very much an All-Star who gives the Jazz quite the edge when he is healthy and playing with a chip on his shoulder. The only problem has been Utah not putting good core but also going out of their way to ensure they couldn't for obvious purposes.
With this version of Markkanen on a Jazz team that has every intention of trying next season, expect the most fun Jazz season since 2021.