When conversations about Lauri Markkanen arise in NBA circles, they tend to revolve around conversations about a future away from the Utah Jazz. Utah is in the midst of a long-term rebuild that seems to slant more toward prioritizing upside over immediate value.
Just when it seemed as though the ideao f a trade was too captivating to ignore, however, Markkanen reminded Utah of why it's so hard to say goodbye.
Markkanen, 28, is currently preparing for EuroBasket with the Finland men's national team. That resulted in him taking the court in a preparation game against Belgium—during which he showcased the very abilities that convinced Utah to sign him to a $195 million contract.