Lauri Markkanen has become untradeable for at least one year after signing a contract extension with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. Per the new deal, the star big man can’t be traded until at least the summer of 2025.
The new deal will keep Markkanen with Utah through the end of the 2028/29 season and it is worth a total of $238 million. Markkanen was about to entering the final year of his current contract and was expected to earn $18 million. Under the new deal, he will earn $42 million next year.
“I’m excited to get this extension done. I’m ready to get back to work and build with this franchise,” Lauri Markkanen said in a video statement.
Lauri Markkanen moved to the Jazz in the summer of 2022 after spending the first five years of his career between the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. He has averages of 24.5 points for Utah and became an All-Star in 2023. He also won the Most Improved Player of the Year award in his debut season with the franchise.
The Jazz missed the postseason last year, after winning just 31 of their 82 games. It was their worst record since 2014 and the second year in a row that they had a losing record. Utah is hopeful for a postseason return next year.
