Frank Ntilikina, Hornets Agree To One-Year Deal

In an interview with ESPN 700, Utah Jazz beat writer Tony Jones offered some insight into where Lauri Markkanen is at with his future. That future involves Markkanen wanting to stay with the Jazz.

“Lauri has really taken to Utah. His family has taken to Utah,” Jones said. “Obviously the Jazz can trade him between now and Aug 6th, and Lauri knows that, but Lauri has forged a really close relationship to Will Hardy. And Will has really found a way to unlock his career”

Markkanen becomes eligible to sign a contract extension on August 6. Speculation has been that Markkanen and Utah could work out a renegotiation-and-extension. In that scenario, the Jazz would use some of their remaining cap space to up Markkanen’s salary for this season, while tacking additional years onto his contract.

Jones said that Markkanen could delay that signing by a day or more, as opposed to signing right on August 6. A renegotiation-and-extension deal comes with a six-month trade restriction. If Markkanen extends on August 6, he’d be trade eligible on trade deadline day of February 6. By delaying an extension, Markkanen would make himself ineligible to be traded this season.

Ultimately, Jones said he feels it is unlikely that the Jazz will trade Markkanen at any point this offseason or season.

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson is set to miss four-to-six weeks due to a left wrist injury. Johnson was injured during Atlanta’s win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday.

The third-year forward is in the midst of a breakout season. Johnson has started 10 consecutive games for the Hawks and is averaging 14.1 points on 59% shooting from the field, including 42.5% on three-pointers. He’s also averaged 7.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game.