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George is already in line for a major payday in rookie scale contract extension talks this offseason after a breakout third season and sources say that the Jazz prize him as an absolute cornerstone now. Bailey, meanwhile, is situated as a scoring guard in Utah's system for coach Will Hardy, who will of course also trot out a supersized frontcourt starring recent All-Stars Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen.
Sam Amick: "Now the Wembanyama effect to your question is I actually think it has a domino effect on the Giannis sweepstakes this summer, where there's only so many guys in the league that can give you a puncher's chance at slowing Wembanyama down. You look at the Thunder, they got a guy in Chet Holmgren who at first glance looks like tailor-made to give him some pushback, and he's obviously had a really hard time in this series. So the impact is even beyond getting a guy like that, it's loading up on bigs. I had one of the executives talk about the Jazz, who I know are certainly not contending at this point, but how they're looking to re-sign Walker Kessler, they did the trade for Jaren Jackson Jr., already got Lauri Markkanen, and that sort of approach. The Thunder adding Hartenstein last year, it's that kind of thing where you're going to need big bodies, but it's not like the Shaq old days when you just needed as much heft as possible. You got to have guys who can play three-four positions and be versatile and keep up with this 7-4 alien."
But given that neither Jackson nor fellow big man Lauri Markkanen is a full-time center, Kessler remains an important player in Utah's path back to contention in the Western Conference. The consensus is that Kessler is signing a new deal with the Jazz in the range of $25 million to $30 million a year. "It appears Utah is gearing up to keep him," an East scout said. "I don't see an obvious fit in free agency for someone to try to get him. They're going to be in an interesting spot next season, and I'm excited to see how they navigate all of it."
Altman pounced, putting together a trade to send Markkanen, Sexton and three unprotected first-round picks to land Mitchell. And Cleveland took off from there. "Four years without him, in the rebuild: one play-in game," a team source said of Mitchell. "Four years with him: four playoff appearances, three second-round appearances, a conference finals appearance."
They likely will be connected to big names around the league, such as Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen − though Utah just traded for Jaren Jackson Jr. to pair with Markkanen − and Los Angeles Clippers superstar Kawhi Leonard, who will be entering the final year of his deal and will make $50.3 million in 2026-27 at age 35. The Pistons have all of their first-round picks, including the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and a trove of second-round picks down the road to include in deals.
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NBA Stat: Most career games played without a playoff appearance among active players: Miles Bridges - 501 Lauri Markkanen - 492 Collin Sexton - 475 Tre Jones - 362 Lonzo Ball - 322 (via Underdog) #NBA
"He gives us the interior presence that we didn't have that can score with his mismatches in the post," said Terry in a one-on-one interview with RG of Jackson. "But he also stretches the floor and can shoot with high efficiency from three. We love his versatility. Obviously, we know what he does defensively as a rim protector, but his offensive versatility combined with (Lauri) Markkanen, it is a tough, tough combo."
Terry spoke glowingly of the potential of a Jackson-Markkanen backcourt, two All-Stars that will be leading the way for the Jazz. "We're a young team, we're rebuilding, but just made a move at the deadline to get Jaren Jackson Jr, appearing with Lauri Markkanen, which gives us one of the one of the most dominant front courts in the league," Terry said.
Shams Charania: Utah's Lauri Markkanen will be re-evaluated in two weeks after an MRI on Thursday showed symptomatic hip impingement with associated inflammation and bone bruise, sources tell ESPN. Markkanen also twisted an ankle in practice Wednesday but those tests returned clean.
Tony Jones: Lauri Markkanen is undergoing his MRI, I’m told, so the Jazz should have results coming. The NBA is evaluating the results, as standard practice. They did not send medical personnel to Utah. That part I got wrong. My apologies.
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Tony Jones: Per sources, Lauri Markkanen’s MRI is scheduled for tomorrow. So the Jazz will know then more definitively what they are dealing with in terms of their star.
Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen could miss some time after suffering an injury in practice on Wednesday. Markkanen will be evaluated for a right ankle and right hip injury, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The 7-footer will get an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. The source is being granted anonymity because they had not been cleared to speak publicly on the matter.
Q. The league fined the Jazz right before the game. Do you have any thoughts on that fine? Will Hardy: No. Q. Moving forward, their approach to fining you, will that have any effect on who you choose to play? Will Hardy: What do you mean their approach to fining us? Q. So if they continue to fine you for say sitting Lauri Markkanen in the fourth quarter, would you avoid doing that moving forward? Will Hardy: I sat Lauri because he was on a minutes restriction. So if our medical team puts a minutes restriction on Lauri, I'll try to keep Lauri healthy.
