The Utah Jazz had been anticipated to have an uneventful 2024-25 season, because the franchise most likely aimed for a good place to pick out a prospect on the 2025 NBA Draft Class, which is headlined by blue-chip prospect Cooper Flagg. Whereas a shedding file is not all the time good, the Jazz did get what they need by ending the yr because the worst staff within the NBA with a 17-65 file. Consequently, the franchise will get a high decide within the upcoming draft. This could definitely play an enormous function of their rebuilding plans, which can most likely set off some main roster actions as effectively, beginning within the offseason.
Talking of creating some roster modifications, it is a protected wager that Utah will lastly be urgent the rebuild button. With a full season that includes a few of their constructing blocks beneath their belt, this must be a good evaluation on who head coach Will Hardy needs to maintain on the roster to hold the franchise into the long run.
With loads of promising prospects, the Jazz will probably be eager on shifting its veteran gamers to usher in a brand new period. For this piece, let’s deal with the one participant that Jazz should commerce within the 2025 NBA offseason.
Lauri Markkanen would not align with the Utah Jazz’s timeline
There is no doubt that Lauri Markkanen continues to be the brightest star on the Jazz’s roster. He is additionally a fan favourite, who has injected loads of thrilling moments into Salt Lake Metropolis. The previous NBA Most Improved Participant even had a gentle season, averaging 19.0 factors, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per outing whereas capturing 42.3% from the sphere general. Consequently, he is nonetheless an All-Star caliber ahead who can take over at any given second.
Nevertheless, the most important problem with Markkanen is his age—27—which does not precisely align with the staff’s younger core. Furthermore, three straight seasons of playoff absence with Markkanen on the helm must be lengthy sufficient to persuade everybody that he is not a celebrity and that the franchise ought to go all-in in pursuing championship gold. Consequently, he is the one participant that Jazz should commerce through the offseason.
Presently, some gamers who’re taking form of the core embrace Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, Isaiah Collier, Cody Williams, and Kyle Filipowski. All of them are beneath 25 years previous, that means that Markkanen would not be capable to match within the staff’s larger image. And like several aggressive participant, the Finnish star is not a fan of tanking.
Associated Utah Jazz InformationArticle continues beneath
As early as final yr’s offseason, the Jazz had an attractive alternative to ship away Markkanen to the Golden State Warriors. In actual fact, the one-time NBA All-Star was a fixture in commerce rumors, particularly when Golden State was searching for a second star to pair with Stephen Curry. Nevertheless, Utah did not pull the set off. Moreover, Markkanen delayed his choice to signal a five-year contract extension value $238 million, stopping the staff from buying and selling him at any level through the 2024-25 season, together with the commerce deadline.
It might be a complete waste of time for each events for the Jazz to maintain the previous All-Star on the roster. His providers could be valued extra for a playoff contender. Alternatively, Utah can largely profit by dangling Markkanen within the commerce market. They will alternate him for a promising younger participant or some first-round draft picks to additional increase their draft capital. These are much-needed belongings for any staff who needs a profitable rebuild.
Buying and selling him within the offseason must be a high precedence for the Jazz. Whereas he is coming off one other stable season, Markkanen’s numbers skilled a slight dip. It might be a clever choice for Utah to buy him earlier than his worth enters a declining stage, and the optimum second could possibly be within the offseason. Marrkanen ought to nonetheless be an attractive possibility for contenders wanting so as to add an extra star to bolster their championship hopes.
Jordan Clarkson, John Collins, and Collin Sexton aren’t untouchable
Except for Markkanen, there are different veterans within the staff that the Jazz also can transfer. Just like the Finnish huge man, these gamers additionally do not match inside Utah’s timeline, given that they are throughout 25, with Clarkson being the oldest at 32. On the intense aspect, Utah ought to be capable to discover buying and selling companions for these gamers, particularly with their skill to be plug-and-play gamers who can immediately make an affect for contenders. Moreover, their expiring contracts also needs to boost their values.
The offers of Clarkson and Sexton will expire on the finish of the 2025-26 season. Clarkson is a former Sixth Man of the Yr winner who can bolster any staff’s bench together with his scoring. Alternatively, Sexton’s playmaking ought to add extra depth to a contender’s guard place. Lastly, Collins has the privilege of exercising his participant possibility this offseason, and his athleticism ought to make him an attractive goal for groups with a depleted frontcourt.