RealGM

The Jazz currently have Markkanen riding the bench due to "lower back injury management." In fact, he's been dealing with back troubles throughout the 2024-25 season, resulting in him missing 20 of the Jazz's first 63 games. And, in case anyone claims otherwise, be reminded that Markkanen has had recurring lower back issues throughout his NBA career, resulting in him averaging only 56 games played per season over his first 8 seasons. And, when he has been able to play this year, ALL of Lauri's numbers have been down from his previous two seasons. FG% down 5.5%. 3P% down 5.2%. FT% down 2.7%. Rebounds down 2.1/game. Points down 2.9/game. Basically, it's been a complete $hit show. And, for this, the Jazz will be paying almost $196 million over the next 4 seasons. Rumors have now begun that the Jazz have been assessing Markkanen's trade value and may, in light of a contract now viewed as an albatross, be willing to part with Markkanen for - get this - some combination of young talent, veterans and ZERO draft picks.

This is what the Dubs would have been stuck with had they actually traded for Markkanen. No ability to trade for Jimmy Butler. No remaining unencumbered first round picks. In short, no hope. And, for this reason, we all should be happy that the clowns who were stamping their feet demanding that the Dubs trade a king's ransom for Markkanen this last off-season are not actually employed by the team. Otherwise, the team and we - as fans - would be completely effed.

Lauri is getting sat a lot for tanking reasons.

But he was only ever worth it for the right price... the Ainge price was not worth it, not even close. Now he's being thrown around as a bad contract at 42million on a down year.

Jimmy has been amazing, what a trade.

Thankfully, the Warriors were nowhere near close to offering what was being asked for Lauri. The Warriors took a good deal of flak on the various forums for not making a trade for him.

The Jazz were trying to sell high on a player who had a constant injury problem, missing 28% of the games in his career. So far, he's played in 43 of 63 games (32% missed). Some will say the Jazz are sitting him because they are tanking.

I call BS on that. I would bet they're trying to keep Lauri from being more injured than he already is so that they can trade that contract, which has 4-yr/$196M remaining after this season.

Add Lauri to the list of PG and KD....all would have required either too many assets or a crippling contract.