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Lauri Markkanen (Source: Bleacher Report)
Lauri Markkanen signed a five-year, $238 million contract with Utah on Wednesday, according to his reports, assuring that the Jazz have a vital component in their rebuilding efforts. According to Sports International Group agent Michael Lelchitski, the contract contains $220 million in additional money, as well as a $24 million wage rise for next season. Before the current arrangement, Markkanen's contract had one year remaining at a salary of $18 million.
Utah Jazz retains a player who has averaged 24.5 points since joining the team two years ago. Markkanen, a 7-footer with 3-point range, was awarded the NBA's Most Improved Player in his debut season with the Jazz and made his first All-Star squad.
According to AP News, “Lauri’s ability to score in multiple ways and his versatility as a player makes our team better,” Jazz CEO Danny Ainge said in a statement. “He embodies our team’s core values on and off the court. We’re glad that he wants to be a part of our future and what we’re building here in Utah.”
Utah has had its worst season in ten years
He spent his first five seasons as a player with the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Chicago Bulls 2018–19 season saw him record his greatest scoring average of 18.7 points. In September 2022, the Jazz acquired Markkanen by sending Donovan Mitchell to Cleveland in exchange for Mitchell. The fact that Markkanen's contract was extended demonstrates how important he is to Ainge and general manager Justin Zanik's ambitions for rebuilding Utah.
Utah has had its worst season in ten years with a 31-51 record. For the first time since NBA 2016 , the Jazz have also experienced consecutive losing seasons; however, they responded to their previous three-year losing run by qualifying for the playoffs the following six seasons. Utah is coming off a 31-51 record, their lowest season in ten years. The Jazz also experienced consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2016, however, they rebounded from their previous three-year losing run by making the playoffs for the next six seasons.