Markkanen was probably aware of what was going on, but that obviously didn't make it easier.
Part of the reason why watching Lauri Markkanen look more like himself with the Utah Jazz this season was that he was anything but that last season. Markkanen's numbers fell off across the board last year, which led many to question the deal the Jazz gave him in 2024. Markkanen himself even admitted that, given how poorly the Jazz were performing, he didn't want to be there.