REPORT: Utah Jazz on path to resign Markkanen

Utah Jazz management has made it clear from the beginning that they intend to re-sign Lauri Markkanen and keep him as a key part of the team’s core. However, at 27 years old and in his prime, the All-Star forward does not fit neatly into the Jazz’s rebuilding timeline. League insiders expect that Markkanen will be traded within the next year.

The Warriors had hoped to complete a trade for Markkanen this summer, but Utah’s Danny Ainge, known for his tough negotiating, has set a high asking price. According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the sticking point in the negotiations appears to be Brandin Podziemski.

The Golden State Warriors have been the most engaged team in pursuing Lauri Markkanen in recent weeks. According to league sources cited by The Athletic, the Warriors have discussed a proposal involving Moses Moody, multiple first-round picks, multiple pick swaps, and multiple second-round picks. However, the Jazz have asked for a substantial package including Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and various picks, which has been a non-starter for Golden State.

Understanding that the Warriors would likely never part with both Kuminga and Podziemski, the Jazz have focused on Podziemski along with three first-round picks and some swaps, as Shams Charania mentioned on Sirius XM NBA Radio. Despite this, the price remains too high for the Warriors, who aim to add Markkanen to a core that includes Kuminga, Podziemski, and Stephen Curry, forming a team capable of competing at the top of the Western Conference.

August 6 is a critical date in the Markkanen trade saga. It is the first day the Utah Jazz can offer Markkanen a contract extension, and he must sign it by then to be eligible for a trade by the February trade deadline, due to a six-month trade moratorium following the signing of an extension.

Conversations with league sources at Summer League in Las Vegas indicate that the expectation is for the Jazz to re-sign Markkanen to a substantial contract on August 6, which would likely put a hold on trade talks until the deadline. While a trade on that day is possible, it is more likely that discussions about moving Markkanen will resume next offseason. Although circumstances could change in the next two weeks, it seems both sides are firm in their current positions.

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