The Utah Jazz are headed into the 2026-27 season with their roster mostly in place, and that puts the spotlight right where it belongs: on Lauri Markkanen.
Last season, Utah’s tanking approach pushed his historic early stretch out of the conversation fast. That doesn’t change what he showed before the Jazz shifted into losing mode, and it certainly doesn’t dull the case that he can do serious damage again this year.
The biggest reason is simple. Markkanen isn’t just a scorer at his size - he’s one of the league’s best shooters, too. Utah leaned into that when he was on the floor, and it showed in a major way: he led the NBA in catch-and-shoot field goal attempts per game.
2025-26 Leaders in Catch & Shoot FGA per game + Catch & Shoot eFG%
Getting busy off the catch pic.twitter.com/wLbCZPV2n4
- Basketball University (@UofBasketball) August 7, 2026
Even with Utah carefully managing his games and minutes, the Jazz kept running actions to get him those looks because they know how effective they are. There’s no real reason to expect that formula to stop working now.
If anything, it should get even more dangerous.
The Jazz weren’t pushing the ball through Markkanen that way as often before because they were trying to lose the last two seasons. This time around, the setup around him is better, too.
Keyonte George is surging, and Darryn Peterson and Isaiah Collier give Markkanen three capable playmakers nearby. Their shooting numbers may differ, but all three can make the right read and find him.
That matters because Markkanen’s three-point shot is such a problem at his size that it opens up the floor for everyone around him, too.
There’s more. Jusuf Nurkic brings high-post passing that stands out for a big man, and Jaren Jackson Jr. will also spend a good share of his minutes next to Markkanen.
Put it all together, and the picture is hard to miss: this could be the best season Markkanen has had yet. The league already knows how good he is, and last season was another reminder. Now, with less holding him back and more around him to feed his game, he looks ready to go right back to what he does best and force the NBA to pay attention.
In Other News...
Jazz Still Have One Roster Decision Left This Offseason
The Jazz have filled all 15 roster spots after signing Mo Bamba to a two-year deal, but the move still leaves them with a little late-summer flexibility. Because the roster is full, any further addition would require a corresponding move, and Utah still has room to reshuffle things before opening night if the right opportunity comes along.
One name worth watching is Kevin Love, who spent part of last season with the Jazz and remains on the free-agent market. If Utah decides it wants to add another veteran before camp breaks, the path is there, but it will likely depend on whether the front office wants to keep the current group intact or create a little space for a different fit. [Read more 🡒]
Walker Kessler Trade Could Leave Lakers Facing Another Tough Choice
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Zach Lowe raised the possibility that Los Angeles could be boxed in by the deal, with the kind of roster crunch that eventually forces uncomfortable choices. Austin Reaves has come up in that conversation, though Utahs own stance is different now than it might have been before, given the young guards already in place. For the Jazz, it is a reminder that one trade can ripple well beyond the player they sent out, especially when the other team may still be searching for the next move. [Read more 🡒]
Lauri Markkanen's Hold On The Jazz Offense May Not Last
Heading into the 2026-27 NBA season, Lauri Markkanen still looks like the safest bet to lead Utah in scoring, and that says plenty about both his role and where the Jazz are in their rebuild. He has paced the team in points for the past four seasons, and even with a new wave of young talent around him, the oddsmakers still see him as the offenses established anchor.
But the longer view is harder to pin down. Keyonte George, Ace Bailey and Darryn Peterson give Utah a younger core with real scoring upside, and as they keep developing, Markkanens grip on the top spot may not be as secure as it has been. For a Jazz team trying to sort out its future, the question is not just who leads the offense now, but how long that hierarchy can hold. [Read more 🡒]