SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Aug. 7, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Lauri Markkanen reportedly has agreed to a $238 million contract extension to remain with the Utah Jazz through the 2028-29 season.
The new deal adds four years and $220 million to Markkanen’s contract, which was set to expire after the 2024-25 season, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.
The All-Star forward had one year worth $18 million left on his contract. Under the extension, Markkanen cannot be traded during the 2024-25 season, according to Wojnarowski.
The Jazz confirmed a new deal with Markkanen on Wednesday but did not disclose the terms.
“Lauri’s ability to score in multiple ways and his versatility as a player makes our team better,” Jazz CEO Danny Ainge said. “He embodies our team’s core values on and off the court. We’re glad that he wants to be a part of our future and what we’re building here in Utah.”
Markkanen, a 7-foot, 240-pound forward, has averaged 24.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game while shooting 49% from the field and 39.5% from 3-point range in two seasons with the Jazz.
The Jyväskylä, Finland, native won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and was selected as an All-Star in the 2022-23 season.
“Lauri’s combination of size, skill and shooting is really unique, and he’s proved he’s an All-Star level player with his improvement over the past two seasons,” Jazz general manager Justin Zanik said. “We’re excited that he shares the same vision of what our team can be long-term and to have him not only as a building block for the Jazz, but also as a member of the Utah community for years to come, is huge.”
Markkanen’s 24.5 points per game scoring average with Utah ranks fourth in Jazz histroy behind Adrian Dantley (29.6), Karl Malone (25.4) and Pete Maravich (25.2).
Markkanen was selected No. 7 overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2017 NBA Draft but ended up with the Chicago Bulls after a draft-night trade. He played four seasons in Chicago before being traded to Cleveland in August 2021.
The Jazz acquired Markkanen from the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to the 2022-23 season in the blockbuster trade for Donovan Mitchell.
Markkanen was named the 2023 Finnish Sports Personality of the Year by his native countrymen. He also has represented his home country in multiple Senior FIBA events including the 2023 FIBA World Cup, 2022 EuroBasket, 2021 European World Qualifier, 2017 European World Qualifier and 2017 EuroBasket.
