The Utah Jazz are gearing up for a tough test against the Denver Nuggets, and all eyes are on the status of Lauri Markkanen. The Jazz’s leading scorer has missed the last two games with a right groin injury, and his absence has been felt on both ends of the floor. As of now, he's listed as questionable for the matchup, which leaves a big question mark hanging over Utah’s game plan.
Let’s be real-when Markkanen isn’t on the floor, the Jazz lose not just their top offensive option, but also a stabilizing presence. He’s the kind of player who stretches defenses, knocks down shots from deep, and gives Utah a go-to scoring threat when things bog down in the half-court.
Without him, the Jazz have had to lean more heavily on young guns like Keyonte George and Ace Bailey. Both have shown flashes, but asking them to carry the load against a team like Denver is a tall order.
Especially when that team features Nikola Jokic.
Jokic is playing at an MVP level again-no surprise there-and when he’s locked in, he controls the game like a chess grandmaster. If Markkanen can’t go, the Jazz will have a hard time matching Denver’s offensive firepower, let alone keeping pace in the paint, where Jokic thrives. Utah will need a near-perfect performance from their supporting cast to keep this one competitive.
But there’s more to this than just one game. Markkanen’s status also plays into a bigger conversation around the Jazz’s direction as the trade deadline looms.
Despite their struggles in the standings, there’s growing buzz that Utah isn’t looking to tear things down. According to league insiders, the front office-led by Danny Ainge and Austin Ainge-is leaning toward building around Markkanen, not moving him.
It’s a notable shift in tone. For a team that hasn’t made a serious playoff push since acquiring Markkanen, the easy assumption would be to sell high, collect assets, and lean into a longer rebuild.
But that’s not the vibe coming out of Salt Lake City right now. Instead, the Jazz appear to be exploring ways to add talent around their star forward, hoping to reshape their trajectory rather than reset it.
That doesn’t mean a blockbuster is guaranteed, but it does suggest that the Jazz see value in continuity-and in Markkanen as a foundational piece. The big question is whether they can find the right deal to complement him and accelerate their return to relevance in a loaded Western Conference.
For now, the priority is getting Markkanen back on the court. If he suits up against Denver, it gives the Jazz a fighting chance. If not, it’s another opportunity for the young core to grow-under fire, against one of the league’s best.
Either way, the next few weeks could be telling. The Jazz might be sitting near the bottom of the standings, but behind the scenes, the wheels are turning. This isn’t a team folding its hand-it’s a team quietly plotting its next move.