Ex-Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen Gets Huge Contract Extension With Jazz

Ex-Bulls’ Lauri Markkanen Gets Huge Contract Extension With Jazz originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

Former Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen has signed a massive five-year, $238 million contract extension with the Jazz, the team announced.

“Lauri’s ability to score in multiple ways and his versatility as a player makes our team better,” Jazz Basketball CEO Danny Ainge said in a statement. “He embodies our team’s core values ​​on and off the court. We’re excited to have him be a part of our future and what we’re building here in Utah.”

Markkanen, 27, had one year and $18 million left on his deal. He and his agents used the Jazz’s salary cap space to increase his salary for next season by $24 million while agreeing to another four years and $196 million without options, ESPN reported about the deal.

Earlier this offseason, Markkanen’s name surfaced in the rumor mill as the Jazz looked to trade him. ESPN reported that the Jazz never received an offer that would cause them to seriously consider trading him. However, Clutch Points reported at one point that an unnamed team offered the Jazz three first-round picks.

Still, if the Jazz were to hypothetically trade Markkanen, it would be the third trade of his career. But part of his new contract prevents him from being moved for the next six months, which is past the next NBA trade deadline, meaning Markkanen can’t be moved until next offseason.

“It’s a weight off my shoulders and I can only focus on one thing now, which is playing basketball at a high level,” Markkanen told ESPN. “I’m not worried about it, but you can’t pretend you don’t hear that. It’s a good feeling knowing I’m going to be in Utah.”

Markkanen was the centerpiece of a trade to the Jazz that netted the Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell. The Bulls traded Markkanen to the Cavaliers in exchange for a 2023 second-round pick, a 2022 first-round pick and Derrick Jones Jr. The Bulls initially acquired him in a trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota. The deal also included Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn.

The Finnish product entered the game two seasons ago, averaging 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game on 49.9% shooting from the field and 39.1% shooting from downtown. That season, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award and his first All-Star nomination.

Last season, Markkanen repeated this with another gem season. He averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game on similar shooting stats. Markkanen is undoubtedly a franchise cornerstone for the Jazz.

“They’ve all shown that they believe in me, from the owner to the front office to Will,” Markkanen told ESPN. “It’s a comfortable environment and those guys’ resumes speak for themselves. I trust the organization to help me grow as a person and as a player, to build our team, and I’m ready to take on the challenge.”

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