Lauri Markkanen is 19th in NBA scoring points right now. 23/8. He is a superstar and young. You sign and keep players like that.

If they trade Lauri, I'm prob not watching any of next season. I love the nba, but this tanking for draft picks is toxic

Just for the record, 2 years ago people were saying that the Thunder needed to trade SGA because he "didn't fit the timeline". He had to wait on the Thunder for 5 years to make the playoffs.

I 100% agree but some fans will get upset at the idea of trading him. If a goal is a championship they need a #1 such as Flagg, Boozer twin, Ace, Dybsanta. It's very unlikely a superstar is getting traded here. Asking Lauri to waste his prime years on a rebuild is not fair to him either. Another season landing the #8/9 pick is worst case scenario.

If you think Lauri hasn't taken any steps towards the lead guy, you haven't actually watched the games this year. He has been both learning to iso (no, he isn't good at it yet, but he is learning and most importantly: he is actually trying to do it for the first time) and he is clearly taking up some leadership on the court pointing to guys where to be and for who to throw the ball etc. But yeah, I have been fighting off these comments of "Lauri needs to be traded" but I start to get tired of it. I start to agree with it: let's trade Lauri for a contender, so my fandom will go with him and I don't anymore need to take Jazz fans not appreciating him when he is good and complaining when he isn't 😁

I think Lauri is an awesome rolemodel and the rooks will develope more with 50%+ winning team than with 20% or under winning team. When you find a MVP who wants to stay, hold on to him.

Nerds comments are right on, Lauri is going to not let the Jazz be bad enough to get top draft picks, OKC has a #1 and SGA, who should have been in the top 3, the Jazz have not had a pick better Than #3 in the last 40 years, consistent good teams but no championships

Jazz can and should tank with Markkanen and Sexton both still on the roster. They have already nearly depleted the team of other veterans who help them win, which is why they are on this current losing streak. They can definitely keep the suckage going without trading away 2 guys who are both seemingly happy in Utah playing for Hardy. After all, getting Flagg/Bailey/Boozer or whoever future superstar alone isnt gonna create a winning TEAM. Gotta remember that PIstons and Spurs look primed to climb out of the cellar next year and Hornets and Raptors also have potential to win 25+, which leaves just Blazers and Wizards as near guaranteed dumpster fires for next year. Top 4 all get the same odds.

It would be a very bad move to trade him this off season. His contract is not very high so the jazz wouldn't get a great haul in player assets. Hes a solid piece in the franchise and perfect to add other stars next to. He's not gonna be selfish and dominate the ball and he's a great finnisher when the opportunity is or isn't there. He may not be the #1 option on a championship team but an essential piece if jazz are heading that direction. Not smart to trade him

Give us a call Memphis, OKC, and Detroit!!!

The Jazz front office has said that they are building a new team around Lauri. Justin told that Jazz wants to make a new deal with Lauri in August. Lauri has also told that he wants to stay in Utah. I think utah will sign some free agents during the of season and use some picks. I also think that they are not tankin for Cooper Flagg in the next season.

It all depends on the extension this summer. If he extends, he stays. If he doesn't, he's going to get traded. We need talented players who also like Utah. Otherwise we won't get good enough to win before top 4 picks leave.

I'm with James on this one. Markkanen's timeline is off for the Jazz rebuild. By the time the Jazz are ready to make a run at an NBA title, Lauri's best years will likely be behind him. All he can do for the Jazz is prevent them from getting the high draft picks they need. And don't forget, he is going to be due a HUGE pay increase a year from now. The Jazz can ill afford to pay him a big contract when they aren't anywhere close to contending. By the way, just wait until you see what Ainge does this summer. I believe he is going to gut the team again.

I disagree. OKC is shinning not only because of drafts being developed. But also because of its star. Lauri is very efficient. He can go for 24 taking 8, 9 shots. Always healthy, long, talent, good locker room. Everyone else either needs the ball all the time (Clarkson, Sexton) either are rookies or either is THT (argh). Jazz have a great #2 on Lauri.

I will quit on the team if they tank again, or at least stop watching until they are competitive. I'll spend my money elsewhere. I could handle last year, this year I expected play in. I expected to be in the post season by next season. Then again I was the type of Jazz fan that was happy with them having the best win rate in the NBA but never winning a championship.

I think the key is if anyone becomes available who is in the range of 24-27. The Jazz have tried to make plays at high end players like Portzingis. Just didn’t work out. But the longer it takes to find a 1a or 1b player the more likely it is to trade Lauri. That said if you trade him, I think it needs to be to a team looking for that last piece but with an aging core. Miami, Clippers, GSW maybe Philly are aging out. ATL and is dysfunctional but doesn’t have picks so could be hard. Like I’d love a deal of Kuminga and Draymond (filler) for Lauri, Kessler, and 3 GSW picks.

I disagree with this. Look at OKC. SGA was told to be patient for years while they drafted and developed around him. Utah has a bunch of young talented guys with a ton of picks. Draft and develop.

Sounds like a nerdy thought to me. Do nerds know how to dribble .... and walk/run at the same time??

You only trade him if you get a major haul. Cant be some little 3 protected firsts deal

Beginning of the season, I would have been mad at the idea. Now I feel the same honestly. I really love Markannen’s game. One of the funnest players to watch for me and and became my favorite Jazzman quickly. But I agree with you. His impact isn’t Jokic, Embiid, Giannis, Luka, Lebron impact level. He’s a great 2nd/3rd option. Not the top sadly. Because of this, it only makes sense to sell while his value is high, give him a chance to contend with another team, and we tear down and build up. Plus we ain’t competing with what’s going on the western conference for the next 4-6 seasons. Let’s rebuild and possibly be the new OKC a few seasons.

It's a 50/50 for Utah, but ofc as a finn I would like to see Lauri in a better team.

Lauri going to OKC would be interesting

He’d be great addition to like the Hawks or a team one move away from competing with the Knicks or Celtics

They better get a huge haul for him if they do trade him. He's an extremely good number 3 or good number 2 on a championship team. If they trade him, they have to not only find that number 1 but also replace him.

How awesone would it be if we traded Lauri, got Flagg and then Lauri came back to UT in FA. A guy can dream lol

Stop tanking in the middle of the Season ! Got to do it right from the begening... 🏀🎷🇫🇷

The jazz know how to win and lose with Laurie. Making this Laurie’s issue is incorrect. The jazz real issue was money 💴! They had to raise capital after smith bought out the millers. The jazz was built to contend but had a short window 🪟 financially because they gave away all the picks and had little leverage after over paying etc. Ainge moved gobert for a haul and also spida. Obvious they are about the future or long game. Still fun 🤩 to watch but also dis appointing everyone time they pull the plug 🔌 Only trade laurie for a haul. Also should pay him big and then trade him. Force teams to give up more players and assets when Laurie is being paid at a higher rate. Hard to get a good offer when his contract is ending soon. Time to extend him and consider trades. At some point between the trades and drafts the jazz will need to be patient. Team chemistry ⚛️ often takes a few years. These guys are getting weird minutes and player matchups. Let’s see how they do with all the a b c talent available. I always play better when I’m playing with better talent that is seasoned. Keep in mind the Thunder are looking nice but that took 4 years. Jazz just getting started. Will need some luck 🍀 Lottery doesn’t care about standings so let’s hope the 🏀 bounces are way.

Spur will love to get him with first picks plus anyone but Wemby and Vassell.

Why would we trade a player who is top 20 in the nba? This slows down our championship hopes. Cooper Flag would be great but there are slim odds of us getting him.

Finally, now we're talking . Lauri must go, and he deserves to go somewhere he can win. Go Jazz

What a god awful take? Trade clarkson. Trade anyone BUT lauri

I wish we could keep Markkanen but he's too good and without considering trading him he will consistently when too many games for us to add top end draft talent, look at the teams that Tanked and because of them sacrificing a season they have won championships in the past or are least in the conversation to win one in the future. First couple teams that come to mind is San Antonio, Warriors, Cleveland, Minnesota, Chicago bulls in The 90's , the Mavericks and many more

Chess moves @Hoops

We don't need a super star we need borderline Allstars and we have the draft assets to do so

We already wasted 2 years since Ryan needed reality check. Hopefully the rebuild starts next season. That should take 3 years at least. So 2025, 2026, and 2027. Unless we win the lottery next month or our 8th pick turns out to be lottery quality then 2024, 2025, and 2027.

I'm a MAVS fan, and what the heck has happened to this team? 11 straight Ls and like 13 out of 15 Ls? This is usually when people talk fire sale, building through the draft. Better do it.

Markannen wants to be here and he's proven to be great. I really hope he stays and improve even more because he's more than capable.

No. Sign and keep Lauri long time.

At some point you don’t need any more picks. Keep Lauri and use the picks we have to draft that star. Don’t let someone who wants to be here walk especially Markannen… even though he’s not a Superstar Utah needs him to help build this thing

Pistons will take him 1st round pick and jaden ivey

JAZZ just need to draft Bronny. Sign LeBron. The trade LeBron to Miami or Cleveland or Houston or Memphis. If we could get a Desmond Bain or a Jalen Green or Evan Mobley or GG Jackson or Cam Whitmore. This is a win.

This sounds AI generated.

Dallas would take him! 🙋‍♂️😂

Trade him to the 76ers they have cap space, and also draft picks

Trade him to the Spurs. They have a ton of picks.

We just need pieces to build around him, losing him would be the worse thing to happen. This team is already unwatchable at best

It’s time!!!! Never in the history of this organization have we had a number 1 pick!! The time is now. Trade Lauri and Get that 2025 number 1 pick!!!

🙂👋❤️🙏🏀

Did you start using AI as you voice is cutting off and isn't clear. Most likely AI made video for you. As for trading Lauri, for Utah they shouldn't do this, but Lauri if his goal is getting that NBA championship in his best years then Utah might not be the team where he should try get that. Otherwise I think Lauri would like to stay as he is pretty much family first guy almost and Utah is good place to raise your family as a person from Finland.

Only reason we trade Lauri is because the Jazz suck

This sounds like a theory created by a person looking for more clicks more so than a person who cares about championship team building theories.

Pretty sure I just read your article you used the exact same phrasing with the groundhog day thing

Hahahaha!!! What a seriously bad take. Yes, we have young talent, but this is why i can't stand our "fans." It's like we have to be amazing, or we become the worst fake GMs ever. Its getting too hard to listen to y'all now. ESPECIALLY "jazz nation" That fool also speaks for himself. Like you are only doing here.

This is a ridiculous take...this channel was a great listen-to when you were a fan talking about and analyzing post game, but now it's you trading our team each episode.