Lauri Markkanen Eyes Lucrative Contract Extension with Utah Jazz
As of Tuesday, Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is eligible for a significant contract renegotiation and extension, a move that could potentially make him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA. This eligibility places Markkanen among a select group of just 13 NBA players since 2010 to potentially restructure their current salary for better terms.
Currently in the final year of a four-year, $67.5 million contract signed in 2021, Markkanen has seen his stock rise dramatically. The Finnish forward's journey has included a notable trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team deal involving Derrick Jones Jr. and multiple draft picks. A subsequent trade sent him to Utah in 2022, where he quickly became a linchpin in the Jazz’s lineup following the Donovan Mitchell trade.
Markkanen's impact has been substantial. His $18 million salary this season is widely considered the best value in the league for any All-Star player not on a first-round rookie scale contract. Averaging 24.5 points over his first two seasons in Utah, his consistent performance earned him All-Star honors and the Most Improved Player award in 2023. He is one of only three 7-footers in NBA history to make 1,000 career 3-pointers, joining the ranks of Dirk Nowitzki and Channing Frye.
Despite Markkanen’s contributions, Utah has been open to trade offers since the transaction activity leading up to the 2024 trade deadline in February. The team’s asking price has been high, reflecting Markkanen’s value both on and off the court. Now, with the opportunity to renegotiate Markkanen's $18 million salary up to $42.2 million for this season, followed by an extension of an additional four years, the Jazz are in a pivotal position. Such a renegotiation could bring the total value to approximately $232 million over the next five years. Another option allows the Jazz to raise his current salary to $33.1 million and extend for four years at a total value of $207.8 million.
Throughout this offseason, the Jazz have been strategic in their financial decisions, staying within the collective bargaining agreement's constraints. Despite having $37 million in cap space, Utah has only signed their 2024 first-round picks, Cody Williams and Isaiah Collier, since July. They also drafted Kyle Filipowski in the second round and reportedly agreed to contracts with free agents Drew Eubanks and Johnny Juzang. Eubanks, Juzang, and Filipowski remain unsigned, preserving Utah’s cap flexibility to renegotiate Markkanen’s contract.
With $103 million in committed salary, the Jazz need to spend at least $23.7 million more to meet the added rule of the 2023 CBA, which requires teams to spend 90% of the salary cap by the first day of the regular season on October 22. Failing to meet this criterion would result in forfeiting the luxury tax distribution the team would receive at the end of the season.
The upcoming season will also feature significant contributions from seven picks from the past three drafts, including guard Keyonte George, forward Cody Williams, and center Walker Kessler. The Jazz have remained active during trade deadlines, retaining veterans like guard Jordan Clarkson, who has been with the team since the Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert era (2021-22).
Several teams have shown interest in Markkanen. The Golden State Warriors have been the most aggressive suitors thus far. Preliminary discussions with the San Antonio Spurs to pair Markkanen with Victor Wembanyama did not gain much traction, and the Sacramento Kings showed interest before eventually acquiring DeMar DeRozan via a sign-and-trade deal. The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets, both possessing substantial draft capital, could outbid other teams if they choose to pursue Markkanen aggressively.
While trade offers essentially highlight Markkanen’s soaring value, his sentiments about the Jazz remain positive. "We'd love to be here. I've said it multiple times. My family likes to be here," Markkanen shared.
With a clear path to renegotiate and extend Markkanen's contract, the Utah Jazz are set to make strategic financial decisions that could shape the team’s future for seasons to come. As the clock ticks down to the start of the regular season on October 22, all eyes will be on how the Jazz navigate this critical juncture.