If the Utah Jazz sign Lauri Markkanen to a contract extension, they will need to do so on the first day he is eligible on August 6th if they have any interest in trading him by the 2025 trade deadline, reports Marc Stein. If Markkanen signs the extension on August 6th, the first day he could be traded is February 6th, which is also the day of the 2025 trade deadline. Markkanen would be ineligible for a trade for a period of six months after his extension.
If Markkanen and the Jazz sign an extension on August 7th or later, then he could not be traded until after the 24-25 season. After making his first All-Star Game in 2023, Markkanen averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 33.1 minutes over 55 games last season for the Jazz.
The Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans are among the teams interested in Markkanen. The Warriors made an “aggressive recent pursuit” to trade for Markkanen.