The Utah Jazz pulled off a gritty 115-111 win over the Miami Heat on Monday night, but the postgame conversation wasn’t just about the scoreboard-it was about the bigger picture. And right now, that picture looks like a team playing the long game.
Head coach Will Hardy didn’t exactly douse the flames when asked about the team’s direction. With Utah holding a first-round pick that only stays with them if it lands in the top eight, there’s a clear incentive to rack up losses down the stretch.
That’s not uncommon in today’s NBA, where draft positioning can shape a franchise’s future. But it does put the Jazz in a tricky spot-balancing development, competitiveness, and strategic losing.
Still, this isn’t a team that’s waving the white flag on its long-term ambitions. Far from it.
Utah’s front office made that clear by acquiring Jaren Jackson Jr., a move that signals they’re eyeing a return to playoff contention sooner rather than later. They also turned away trade interest in Walker Kessler, a young big man with a ton of upside.
That’s not the behavior of a team looking to tear everything down. That’s a team preserving its core.
And then there’s Lauri Markkanen.
Adam Silver do the right thing!! #AllStar pic.twitter.com/znZdAjB84R
— Jusuf Nurkić 🇧🇦 (@bosnianbeast27) February 10, 2026
The Finnish forward has quietly (and consistently) been one of the league’s most effective scorers. His versatility, shooting touch, and ability to create mismatches make him a matchup nightmare on any given night.
He’s not just putting up numbers-he’s doing it efficiently and within the flow of the offense. That’s why his teammates, like Jusuf Nurkic, are going to bat for him.
Nurkic took to social media to make his case, urging NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to give Markkanen the All-Star nod. “Adam Silver do the right thing!!
#AllStar,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter). The Bosnian big man didn’t back down when challenged either, firing back at a critic with a heated reply.
Say what you will about the tone, but the passion? That’s real.
The problem, of course, is availability. With Utah leaning into a developmental approach-and likely prioritizing lottery odds-Markkanen’s minutes may be managed more cautiously in the second half of the season. That could mean more rest days and fewer chances to showcase his All-Star-caliber talent on a nightly basis.
And in a league where durability often plays a big role in All-Star selections, that could hurt his chances of being chosen, especially as an injury replacement. There are other players out there logging heavy minutes and staying on the court consistently. That matters.
But let’s not lose the thread here: Markkanen is a legit talent. If Utah gets back to winning consistently, there’s no reason to believe he won’t be right back in the All-Star mix. He’s already made it once, and with his skill set and production, it’s only a matter of time before he’s back on that stage.
For now, the Jazz are walking a fine line-developing their young talent, preserving their draft assets, and keeping one eye on a future that could come together quickly. And if Markkanen is part of that foundation, Utah fans have every reason to be optimistic.