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Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
The Utah Jazz wasted no time to quiet any further rumors on whether their All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen would be traded in a potential trade in the foreseeable future by signing the Finnish star to a massive five-year, $238 million contract extension.
The deal will make Markkanen the highest-paid player in Utah Jazz franchise history. It will also exclude the Jazz star forward off the 2024-25 season trade block. This deal came at a critical time, as Markkanen became extension-eligible on Aug. 6.
He will not be tradeable for at least six months, surpassing the NBA trade deadline of Feb.6, 2025.
Markkanen, the former 2023 All-Star and Most Improved Player of The Year, was considered the top trading target for the Golden State Warriors as they looked to pair a skilled big of Markkanen’s skillset alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Trade talks fell when the Warriors were reluctant to give up incoming sophomore Brandin Podziemski in a potential deal that included first-round picks and Moses Moody. Since no team was willing to meet Utah’s asking price, they opted to secure Markkanen long-term on a lucrative deal through the 2028-29 season.
Markkanen believes in the Jazz organization's future, per The Athletic, as he thinks they have a strong foundation. They hope to continue building and putting talent around Markkanen, with next year's 2025 NBA Draft slated to be a loaded one, headlined by Duke sensation Cooper Flagg.
Suppose they fail to land one of the top prospects next year. In that case, they are looking to trade Markkanen elsewhere to a playoff contender, as the Finnish forward is in the prime of his career at 27 years old and will be valuable with his spacing ability and three-level scoring anywhere he goes.
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