Jazz F Lauri Markkanen ‘Wants to Make Playoffs’ per Insider

“The strongest part of the tug-of-war is Lauri [Markkanen] really wants to make the playoffs and really hasn't been given the roster to do so,” Larsen said.

The rumors of a frustrated locker in back-to-back years should concern Utah’s front office, but it will not stop them from doing what they believe is in the Jazz’s best interest. Markkanen won't be an unrestricted free agent until the summer of 2025, and there's plenty of time to mend that fence if need be.

Although developing the rookies will take precedence over winning, there’s still the question of what will happen to Utah’s first-round pick in 2024. If Utah lands in the bottom 10, then they keep the pick. If not, then the selection goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

If Utah keeps the pick this year, the debt owed is moved to 2025 with the same top-10 protection. If it's still not paid off, it can be moved one last time to 2026 with a top-eight protection in place.

Whether Utah is amid a ‘mini-tank’ to keep the pick is debatable. However, according to Larsen, it may be in Utah’s best interest to convey the pick this year.

“I think there’s a real case for trying to convey the pick and give it to the Oklahoma City Thunder this year,” Larsen said. Essentially, that means that you’re giving it up in a worse draft where if you can keep it in 2025, you might get a better player even if the Jazz are better next year. And then, most importantly, you reduce the risk of keeping it until 2026, and that's where it gets a little bit dangerous, where all of a sudden, you can't use the pick swap potentially in the year Donovan Mitchell leaves the Cleveland Cavaliers.”

Larsen brings up some valid points in paying off that debt this year. The pick swap with the Cavaliers could be worth a pretty penny if Mitchell leaves Cleveland. Whether Mitchell signs an extension this summer will be something Jazz fans should watch closely. 

There are many moving parts regarding Utah’s agenda for the remainder of the season, but we know that winning is at the bottom of the list. Markkanen will need to wait at least one more year before participating in his first career playoff game.

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