The Miami Heat were already facing an uphill battle when it came to a Lauri Markkanen trade, considering that doing business with the Ainges isn't easy, but the chances of a trade happening just dipped even further. On Monday, NBA insider Matt Moore reported for FanSided that the Jazz are continuing to "stonewall all talks for Lauri Markkanen."
Markkanen's future in Utah has been a popular topic of conversation for a couple of years. He was linked to Golden State during the 2024 offseason before he signed a five-year, $238 million extension with the Jazz. Markkanen added fuel to the trade fire this past summer with his performance at EuroBasket.
After Walker Kessler opted for season-ending shoulder surgery earlier this month, Heat fans started to dream even more about a Markkanen trade. Based on Moore's report, Utah's stance on the 28-year-old forward hasn't changed, which is interesting, considering that the Jazz need to lose as much as possible to ensure their 2026 top-eight protected pick doesn't go to the Thunder.
Utah could always change its mind between now and the Feb. 5 deadline, but even if that happened, it'd be hard for Miami to get Markkanen. The Jazz would want a slew of first-round picks for Markkanen. Think of what you would give up for him, and then add three more first-round picks to it. That's how Utah does business.
Jazz reportedly still aren't interested in trading Lauri Markkanen
Markkanen is averaging a career-best 30.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 48/39/88 shooting splits through Utah's first 13 games of the season. He's fresh off a season-high 47 points in a 150-147 double overtime win over the Bulls.
The Jazz are 5-8, 10th in the West. It's still early in the season, but Utah shouldn't want to be close to play-in tournament range, not with its first-round pick on the line. An "easy" way to ensure that the Jazz would lose more would be a Markkanen trade.
The Heat are 8-6, seventh in the East, after Monday's win over the Knicks. Miami has looked a lot better than many expected to start the season, and it's time to try to make a run in a conference that's wide open. A trade for Markkanen, who can fit in just about anywhere, would give the Heat a major boost as they look to make that run, as long as he could stay healthy, that is.
It would also cause them to gut their future, though. It will take a lot to get the Jazz to agree to a Markkanen trade, which is why Utah is taking this kind of stance. You don't win trades that Danny Ainge is involved in.