Lauri Markkanen is more likely to agree to a long-term contract extension at some point after Tuesday than he is on that day when he can sign with the Utah Jazz and still be traded by the 2025 deadline, sources tell Marc Stein.
Markkanen is only trade-eligible on an extension if he signs on Tuesday. Utah’s six-month waiting period before Markkanen becomes trade-eligible again would not be complete until after next season’s trade deadline on Feb. 6, 2025 if he signs after Tuesday.
Utah’s draft pick in 2025 is only top-10 protected. The 2025 draft has star power at the top and also has considerable depth. The Jazz would like to keep Markkanen, but he could make them too good to have a chance of drafting Cooper Flagg.
The Jazz could reassess Markkanen’s trade value next offseason on an extension when the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs and possibly even the Oklahoma City Thunder could have interest.
