Jazz Mailbag: Does EuroBasket Affect Markkanen’s Stock?
Sep 9, 2025, 4:04 PM
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - FEBRUARY 12: Lauri Markkanen #23 of the Utah Jazz dunks during the first half of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Delta Center on February 12, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Welcome to the Utah Jazz mailbag, where this week we look at the effect Lauri Markkanen’s EuroBasket performance might have on his trade value.
Each week, we will send out a prompt on X and BlueSky asking for the questions you have about the Jazz.
Then, we’ll respond to as many as we can in that week’s Jazz mailbag in the Jazz Notes podcast.
Jazz Mailbag: Is EuroBasket Improving Lauri Markkanen’s Stock?
If Lauri averages 25 points and 10 rebounds in Eurobasket and also leads his team to the finals, what does that do for his value? Does that carry weight in GM’s minds?
— James McKinney (@Jampod2k) September 8, 2025
Question: If Lauri averages 25 points and 10 rebounds in Eurobasket and also leads his team to the finals, what does that do for his value? Does that carry weight in GM’s minds?
Answer: Lauri Markkanen has certainly had a resurgence at EuroBasket 2025, the same tournament in which he first had a major breakout in 2022, shortly after he was traded to the Jazz in the Donovan Mitchell blockbuster.
Now, Markkanen stands just one win away from guaranteeing Finland its best finish at the tournament, with a trip to the semi-finals on the line on Wednesday when he faces off against Georgia.
Even if Team Finland doesn’t advance, it’s safe to say Markkanen’s performance has helped remind GMs around the NBA why he was named an All-Star in 2023, and that at his best, he’s worth a max contract in the NBA.
THE MAN WHO CHANGED FINNISH BASKETBALL FOREVER.
LAURI MARKKANEN DROPS 29 PTS TO ELIMINATE JOKIC & SERBIA!#EUROBASKET pic.twitter.com/dN2IRgyrnC
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) September 6, 2025
Through six games, Markkanen is averaging 26.0 points and 8.2 rebounds, while leading Finland to a major upset over Nikola Jokic and Serbia on Saturday.
The Jazz forward has the third-highest scoring average in the tournament behind only Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo, and has once again proven he’s one of the best international players in today’s game.
With that in mind, yes, Markkanen’s performance has to have improved his stock in a league where size and scoring remain at a premium.
And, provided he stays healthy, the further he leads Finland at EuroBasket, the better.
However, if the Jazz are hoping to see Markkanen maximize his value, the majority of the work will have to be done on the NBA court.
If Markkanen can recapture what made him an All-Star in his first season with the Jazz, he’ll generate significant interest in a market that may suddenly be devoid of talent this season.
Lauri Markkanen had an all-time EuroBasket performance today in just 23 minutes… pic.twitter.com/JoGo1o2zKM
— NBA University (@NBA_University) August 29, 2025
With Kevin Durant moving this summer, Jimmy Butler joining the Golden State Warriors in February, and Antetokounmpo apparently staying put for at least one more season in Milwaukee, Markkanen has a chance to be the biggest name on the market at this year’s trade deadline.
After moving both John Collins and Collin Sexton for pennies on the dollar, it’s clear the Jazz are again comfortable resetting their rebuilding timeline.
Even if Markkanen does regain form as a top-20ish player in the league, the Jazz stand almost no chance of competing for a playoff spot in the West this season, and should at least explore the market for the seven-foot sharpshooter.
Other names could hit the market in-season depending on how some teams open the NBA schedule. And, a few specific names (Zion Williamson, Jaylen Brown, Devin Booker) could leap Markkanen in value if they do become available.
Lauri is a CHEAT CODE – 43PTS for the Finnisher 🤯#EuroBasket pic.twitter.com/GgVDS60LFY
— FIBA EuroBasket (@EuroBasket) August 29, 2025
With less than a month until the preseason opens, the Jazz appear to be in the catbird seat if their star forward continues to play at the same level he has this summer.
Make no mistake, the Jazz don’t need to trade Markkanen, and if they opted to keep him, especially if he’s playing at an All-Star level, he’ll expedite the rebuild when they do choose to add pieces via free agency rather than the draft.
Jazz Mailbag: How Quickly Could This Rebuild End?
But if Markkanen is the top available name at the trade deadline, and the Jazz find a competitive market for his services, they might find an offer that is too good to refuse, and have his resurgence at EuroBasket to thank.
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Ben Anderson is the author of the Jazz Mailbag, a Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports, the author of the Jazz Mailbag, and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
