SALT LAKE CITY — Lauri Markkanen has put pen to paper, signing a new deal that will keep the All-Star with the Utah Jazz for at least the upcoming season.
ESPN reports Markkanen inked a five-year, $238 million contract extension, ending all talks of the forward being traded this summer or all of next season.
"I'm ready to get back to work and build with this franchise," Markkanen said in a social media post. "You guys deserve to win. Go Jazz!"
Because Markkanen signed his deal Wednesday, it makes him ineligible to be traded until next offseason because players cannot be traded until six months after they sign an extension. The six month period would expire for Markannen after the NBA trade deadline in February.
“Lauri’s ability to score in multiple ways and his versatility as a player makes our team better,” said Jazz CEO of Basketball Danny Ainge. “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.”
This offseason, multiple teams had reportedly reached out to the Jazz in hopes of acquiring Markkanen, including the Golden State Warriors who have multiple players and draft picks that would be desired in an exchange for a player of his caliber.
