Ex-Bulls Lauri Markkanen gets big contract extension with Jazz originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Old Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen got a massive five-year contract extension with the Jazz worth $238 million, the team announced.
“Lauri’s ability to score in multiple ways and his versatility as a player make 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 happy he wants to be a part of our future and what we’re building here in Utah.”
Markkanen, 27, had one year and $18 million remaining on his contract. He and his agents used the Jazz’s salary cap to increase his salary for next season by $24 million while agreeing to four more years and $196 million without options, ESPN reported on the deal.
Earlier this offseason, Markkanen’s name spread through the rumor mill as the Jazz appeared ready to trade him. ESPN reported that the Jazz never received an offer that led them to seriously consider moving him. Although, Clutch Points did at one point report an anonymous team offered the Jazz three first-round picks.
Still, if the Jazz hypothetically traded Markkanen, it would have marked the third trade of his career. But part of his new contract prevents him from being moved for the next six months, which is well past the next NBA trade deadline, meaning Markkanen cannot be moved until at least next offseason.
“A weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I can only focus on one main thing now: playing basketball at a high level,” Markkanen told ESPN. “I don’t stress about it, but you can’t pretend you don’t hear these things. It feels good knowing I’ll 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 took off two seasons ago, scoring 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting 49.9% from the field and 39.1% from downtown. That season, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award and his first All-Star nomination.
Last season, Markkanen repeated with another gem season. He averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game in similar shooting metrics. Markkanen is undoubtedly the cornerstone of the Jazz franchise.
“They all showed they believe in me, from ownership to the front office to Will,” Markkanen told ESPN. “It’s a comfortable environment and these guys’ resumes speak for themselves. I trust the organization to help me grow as a person and a player, to build our team, and I’m ready to take on the challenge.”
