As Team USABMNT is making waves at the Paris Olympics, others are busy using the off-season for trade negotiations and acquisitions. Today, August 6, happens to be the date when Utah Jazz Guard, Lauri Markkanen becomes eligible for a contract extension. He’s sparking interest from many teams, including the Golden State Warriors. Not with a limited window to make time-crunching decisions, the Jazz has a major dilemma: retain their star player or risk trading him.

Discussing this dilemma is ESPN Insider, Bobby Marks in an “NBA on ESPN” segment. As per him, the franchise must decide Markkanen’s future today – If the Jazz wishes to keep the player within their folds or send him away. This is because if they don’t finish the trade today, he won’t be eligible to participate in any trades for the next 6 months and 6 months from now would be February 6, 2025. A delay here will remove the Jazz’ chances to trade him until the (almost) conclusion of the upcoming season. Certainly, Marks points out the complexity of this decision because of various distractions and the tight time frame.

“I think you look at it from multiple sides. Would he be a trade asset if he signed on the 6? Yes. But for 6 months, you are going to deal with ‘When is Markin gonna be traded, what’s gonna happen on February 6?’” said Marks. “A major, major league distraction for a player, who’s already been traded three times already, to basically hear his name being scuttered about when we get to December, and we get to January, ‘Who’s gonna be trading for Markkanen on February 6?’ Everybody will have that circled, and it will be a major, major distraction.”

In 7 years of his NBA career, Markken was a part of three teams. Now, with a fourth team in question, the Jazz are in a mixed situation because of his $18 million salary from the recent season. Apparently, an ESPN report highlighted that this is the best value for an All-Star in the last two seasons, who wasn’t on the first-round rookie scale contract. Plus, with Markken’s averages being 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 2 assists in the last season, he emerged to be their lead scorer.

Now, Lauri is actually eligible for a four-year, $113 million trade extension. Fortunately, in anticipation of a scenario like this, the Jazz have kept over $30 million available at their disposal. However, with other teams like the Golden State Warriors scouring, the player may look for a bigger salary which, if the franchise forked out, would put them in danger of facing the dreaded luxury tax and apron limits. But it will definitely help out Stephen Curry and co who’ll add a skilled player to their roster.

For the ESPN insider, signing Markkanen won’t end trade speculations. The Utah Jazz, labeled to be a “lottery team” for 2 years now, may continue questioning if they could secure assets for the prize of one. He might as well just simplify their dilemma by making the final decision on his own.

Will Lauri Markkanen get a grip on his future?

Yesterday, the Athletic reporter Tim Kawakami dropped an update on the Lauri Markkanen situation. According to him, the 2023 NBA All-Star will not look to sign an extension deal by August 6, even if the same is provided to him early on. As it turns out, the player may himself have figured out that signing on Tuesday will still make him vulnerable to a trade by February 6. Therefore, delaying things would only work in his favor.

“The 27-year-old Markkanen knows he’s going to get major money either now or next summer,” wrote Kawakami. “By not signing this week, Markkanen essentially gains a bit of control over his future.”

While Markkanen may not sign a deal within the next few hours, he may end up doing the same at some point in time. After all, when asked if he would consider a trade back in April, the 27-year-old replied “We love to be here. I’ve said it multiple times and my family likes to be here.” The Athletic reporter Tony Jones confirmed that the player’s belief hadn’t shifted by July 26, as he reported that Markkanen “doesn’t want to be traded.”

With the small forward having already switched so much within such a short time in the NBA, he may be looking to settle down in one place for now.

“My understanding is that Markkanen’s camp is not opposed to him landing with the Warriors, but that there are also other teams on the favorable list should Utah put him on the trade market” Kawakami added. “And Markkanen is definitely not opposed to staying with the Jazz, but on his own terms.”

Playing such a risk could backfire, as the Jazz could provide the player with a low-ball offer. Whatever repercussions will occur will be found out soon. After all, it’s August 6 and the clock is ticking.

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger