Report: Jazz expected to sign Markkanen to extension past trade date

The Utah Jazz are expected to sign star forward Lauri Markkanen to a long-term extension, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.

The deal is reportedly slated to be signed later this week, which would make Markkanen untradeable for the upcoming season. The Finnish forward had been the focus of trade speculation, notably involving the Golden State Warriors.

Markkanen's deal could reportedly be worth more than $200 million over five years.

The 7-footer has become a top-tier scorer in his two seasons in Utah after coming over from the Cleveland Cavaliers. He averaged 25.6 points per game in a 2022-23 season where he won the league's Most Improved Player award and made his first All-Star team. He followed that up by averaging 23.2 points per game last year.

Despite Markkanen's emergence, the Jazz haven't been a factor in the Western Conference, finishing 12th in both seasons.

The Warriors, along with the San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings, showed the most interest in acquiring Markkanen.

Golden State was reportedly uninterested in including 2023 first-rounder Brandin Podziemski in any potential deal for Markkanen, which stalled trade talks with the Jazz.