Jazz Should Resist Trading Lauri Markkanen After Poor Start
The Utah Jazz are 1-6 after seven games, prompting calls to consider trading Lauri Markkanen. But the team should hold on to the forward rather than sell low, the argument goes.
Utah’s 1-6 start has left the Jazz tied for last in the Western Conference and among the NBA’s weaker teams in both offensive and defensive rating. Their shooting, assists, steals and turnovers have also been problems, fueling discussion about whether to trade Lauri Markkanen.
The case against a move is that Markkanen is not the main cause of the team’s struggles, and dealing him may not improve the roster. He has averaged 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.8 assists across six games, while shooting 38.5% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range.
Those numbers are a disappointing start, but Markkanen offers size, shooting and offensive versatility, including the ability to play effectively without the ball. His past performance also suggests he can rebound from a poor stretch, making him a potential part of Utah’s recovery rather than a player to remove from the mix.
A trade could also bring back less than the Jazz would want. His inefficient start and large contract may limit what other teams are willing to offer, despite his history as an All-Star-level player. Trading him now could amount to selling low without addressing the team’s broader problems.
The suggested course is to keep Markkanen and the young core together while Utah works to stabilize its play. A healthy frontcourt featuring Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic, along with development from younger players, is presented as a better path than a hurried trade.