Teams across the NBA have closely monitored Lauri Markkanen's status with the Utah Jazz during the 2024 offseason. Rumors suggested the Jazz were mulling a trade to part ways with Markkanen, and analysts viewed the Golden State Warriors as a top landing spot. However, Markkanen and Utah are expected to agree on a sizeable long-term extension that would make him unavailable for trade throughout the 2024-25 season, Shams Charnaia reported on Tuesday morning. So how does Markkanen's update with the Jazz affect the Brooklyn Nets?
The Nets were not seen as contenders to acquire Lauri Markkanen via a trade. However, Utah and Brooklyn do share one perceived goal that the star forward greatly impacts. Both teams would like to have a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Finishing the 2024-25 season with a lower record boosts their chances of drafting a star. ClutchPoints' Brooklyn Nets Beat Reporter Erik Slater explained more, revealing why Markkanen staying with the Jazz is good business for Brooklyn:
"[The extension] is a win for the Nets. Had the Jazz traded Markkanen, they would've been in the tank race for a top draft pick," Slater wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "That's one less team competing with Brooklyn."
Nets have a greater chance to strike gold in 2025 NBA Draft
Markkanen's planned stay with the Jazz means the team is more likely to be competitive during the 2024-25 season. An All-Star caliber player like him gives Utah a greater chance at an improved record. After making a career jump in 2022-23 with the Jazz, Markkanen continued his stellar play the following season. Through 55 games in 2023-24, the 27-year-old averaged a team-high 23.2 points along with 8.2 rebounds and a 39.9 percent three-point shooting clip.
It is still possible that Utah prioritizes its 2025 draft pick, putting less of an emphasis on winning games during the season leading up to it. However, their move on Markkanen could increase their chances of finishing with a better record than the Nets. This would theoretically help Brooklyn to a higher spot in the draft lottery.
Brooklyn regained their top 2025 NBA Draft pick when they shipped assets from their Kevin Durant-Phoenix Suns trade to the Houston Rockets. Will the Nets strike gold in one of the most talented draft classes in years? Only time will time.