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Woj: Jazz seem determined to keep building around Lauri Markkanen

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated 1/17/24

Things are looking up for the Utah Jazz lately. More importantly, after a fairly uneven start, the Jazz are looking incredibly promising when it comes to the future of the franchise.

A big reason for that is none other than forward Lauri Markkanen, acquired as part of the haul Utah received from the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Donovan Mitchell trade.

While there were a few trade whispers surrounding Markkanen earlier this season, don’t expect him to be moved, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

“The Jazz seem determined to keep building a roster around Markkanen,” Woj wrote during his weekly chat on the social media platform Threads.

The Jazz (22-20) have won 15 of 19 and six straight — including road wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks, as well as a home win over the defending champion Denver Nuggets.

Markkanen, 26, is 7-foot-0 and averaging 24.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists this season, shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent on 3-pointers. An All-Star last year, he has also spent time with the Chicago Bulls.

He’s making $17.2 million this season and is set to earn $18 million next year.

As an aside, the Jazz’s recent hot streak coincides with guard Collin Sexton moving into the starting lineup. Sexton was also part of the Mitchell trade.