The Utah Jazz appear to be increasingly likely to renegotiate-and-extend Lauri Markkanen when he becomes eligible on August 6th. Marrkanen is on an $18 million expiring contract and the Jazz explored his trade market with several other partners.
The Sacramento Kings made an exploding offer to the Jazz with a package of draft picks for Markkanen. When the Jazz were non-committal on the offer, the Kings pivoted to a sign-and-trade for DeMar DeRozan.
The Golden State Warriors will wait a definitive answer on Markkanen’s availability as they are comfortable entering the season with their current 14-man roster, sources tell Anthony Slater of The Athletic. Golden State has 12 legitimate rotation players entering camp, but they acknowledge that they’re not currently even a fringe contender without at least one large move such as one for Markkanen. The possibility of offering future picks holds appeal across the league given the uncertainty of the franchise’s future when Stephen Curry is no longer on the team. Utah has found those future picks from the Warriors appealing in their Markkanen discussions.
