The Utah Jazz came into this season with tempered expectations - and for good reason. After finishing dead last in the Western Conference with a 17-65 record a year ago, it was clear this team was in the thick of a rebuild.
But here we are, not even halfway through the 2025-26 campaign, and the Jazz are quietly starting to turn some heads. At 10-15, they’re sitting 10th in the West - not exactly title contention, but a noticeable step forward for a franchise that’s been playing the long game.
And right at the center of that progress? Lauri Markkanen.
The 7-footer has been the subject of trade buzz for a while now - not surprising given his combination of size, scoring touch, and versatility. But according to a recent report, Utah’s front office isn’t looking to move him.
In fact, they’re doubling down. The message is clear: Markkanen isn’t on the trade block.
He’s the foundation.
Teams around the league have been circling, hoping Utah might be tempted to cash in on Markkanen’s rising value. But the Jazz are holding firm.
The plan is to build around him, not ship him out. It’s a signal that Utah sees Markkanen not just as a valuable asset, but as the guy to lead this next era of Jazz basketball.
And he’s making a strong case for that belief.
Just look at his recent performance against Dallas. With Utah thin in the frontcourt, Markkanen stepped up in a big way - dropping 33 points and grabbing a season-high 16 rebounds in a 140-133 overtime win.
It was the kind of game that reminds you why so many teams covet him. He was everywhere - scoring from all three levels, battling on the glass, and setting the tone in crunch time.
After the game, Markkanen kept it simple: “I try to affect the game really, however I can. There were a lot of loose balls to be had, and I was happy to get them.”
That attitude - paired with his production - is exactly why Utah is all-in.
Through the early part of the season, Markkanen is averaging 27.8 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, all while shooting the ball with impressive efficiency. Those numbers don’t just look good on paper - they’re translating into wins, or at the very least, competitive basketball. For a team that’s still figuring things out, that matters.
Now, while Markkanen is staying put, the Jazz may still be active ahead of the trade deadline. The front office is reportedly open to moving veteran pieces like Kevin Love, Kyle Anderson, or Jusuf Nurkic.
The goal? To clear the runway for their younger core and give this team a chance to grow around its star forward.
This isn’t a team chasing a quick fix. Utah knows where it stands in the Western Conference pecking order, and they’re playing the long game. But with Markkanen leading the charge and a front office committed to building smartly around him, the Jazz are starting to lay the foundation for something real.
They’re not there yet - but the direction is clear. And for the first time in a while, there’s a sense that better days might not be that far off in Salt Lake City.