Lauri Markkanen Is Playing Like a Star - And the Jazz Are Finally Treating Him Like One
Since arriving in Utah in 2022 as part of the Donovan Mitchell trade, Lauri Markkanen has been a constant presence in trade rumors - but not in trade packages. Despite the buzz, the Finnish forward has stayed put, quietly evolving into a cornerstone for a Jazz team that’s starting to find its footing.
Now, with Utah sitting at 10-15 and hovering around the Western Conference Play-In picture, the conversation around Markkanen is shifting. According to NBA insider Michael Scotto, the Jazz are more committed than ever to building around their All-Star forward. And frankly, it's about time.
“Lauri draws a ton of interest around the league,” Scotto said. “But right now, Utah wants to hold on to him and really try to make a run for the future to improve this team and start to win.”
That’s a notable change in tone from a front office that’s spent the last couple of years in asset-collection mode. But when you’ve got a player performing like Markkanen, the calculus changes.
Star-Level Production That Demands Attention
Markkanen isn’t just putting up good numbers - he’s putting up franchise-player numbers. Through the 2025-26 season, he's averaging a career-best 27.8 points per game while shooting 46.9% from the field and 35.2% from three. He’s also contributing 7.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.0 steal in over 35 minutes a night.
Those aren’t empty stats on a tanking team. They’re the kind of numbers that force a front office to take a hard look at its timeline and ask: Are we ready to build around this guy right now?
Utah seems to be answering that question with a yes.
The Clock Is Ticking - And Everyone Knows It
Here’s the thing: Markkanen isn’t a 22-year-old prospect anymore. He turns 29 in May.
These are his prime years - the window where elite production and physical peak intersect. If the Jazz want to make the most of his current form, they can’t afford to treat this like a slow rebuild.
That’s the challenge for Danny Ainge and the front office. The Jazz have promising young pieces - Walker Kessler, Keyonte George, Taylor Hendricks - but developing them into a playoff-ready core takes time. And time is the one thing Markkanen doesn’t have in abundance.
So the question becomes: Can Utah accelerate the process enough to keep pace with their star?
A Shift in Strategy - Or Just a Pause?
For now, it appears the Jazz are holding firm. Teams across the league have shown interest in Markkanen, and rightfully so.
He’s a versatile scorer with size, shooting touch, and a game that fits just about any system. But Utah isn’t listening - at least not yet.
Instead, they’re signaling a desire to build with him, not around him. That’s a subtle but important distinction.
Building with Markkanen means making moves that complement his game and maximize his impact. It means prioritizing veterans who can contribute now, not just draft picks and long-term projects.
It also means making some decisions this summer. The Jazz will have cap space, and they’ll need to decide what kind of roster they want to put around their star. If they wait too long, they risk wasting the best years of his career.
What Comes Next
There’s no denying that Markkanen has earned the right to be the face of the franchise. He’s producing at a level that demands respect - not just from opponents, but from his own organization. The Jazz seem to be recognizing that, finally treating him as more than a trade chip or a placeholder.
But recognition is only the first step. The next one is action.
If Utah wants to make the most of this moment - and of Markkanen’s prime - they’ll need to make bold, smart moves. Because if they don’t, someone else eventually will. And by then, it might be too late.