Expectations aren't high surrounding the Utah Jazz ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season. After six consecutive postseason appearances, the Jazz haven't qualified for the playoffs in back-to-back years and a lackluster offseason means that trend will likely continue barring a major surprise.

Do the Jazz have that? Nobody knows with exactness.

Making Lauri Markkanen a cornerstone of the rebuilding process has given the Utah Jazz a clearer direction of where the franchise wants to go in trying to become an NBA playoff

Fresh off a newly inked extension, the Finnish star is ready for the challenges ahead with the rebuilding Jazz.

The move signifies two things. One, the Jazz cannot trade Markkanen at any point during the 2024-25 season because of when he agreed to the deal. Two, Utah rewarded Markkanen with a handsome contract and relative security after his two breakout seasons included an NBA All-Star appearance and the league’s Most Improved Player award.

I think it was about stopping and appreciating how far I’ve come,” Markkanen said. “It was a nice feeling to know that a lot of teams wanted you to play for their franchise. It was kind of a cool