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Jazz sign Finland's Markkanen to five-year NBA extension / Photo: © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP/File
Jazz sign Finland's Markkanen to five-year NBA extension
Lauri Markkanen, a 2023 NBA All-Star forward, has signed a five-year contract extension with the Utah Jazz, the club revealed on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old 7-footer from Finland was named the NBA's 2022-23 season's Most Improved Player, when he averaged a career-high 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds a game.
"I'm excited to get this extension done," Markkanen said in a video posted on the Jazz's X account. "I'm ready to get back to work and build with this franchise. You guys deserve to win. Go Jazz."
Markkanen's deal, according to ESPN, is worth $238 million. He had one year and $18 million remaining on his contract but will get $24 million more for next season and $196 million over four years after that.
The terms also ensure Markkanen cannot be traded until after next season.
Markkanen averaged 23.2 points and 8.2 rebounds a game last season for the Jazz, who went 31-51 and missed the playoffs for the second year in a row.
The Jazz have not reached the NBA Finals since losing to the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls in 1998.
Markkanen, who spent four seasons with Chicago and one campaign with Cleveland, has averaged 18.1 points and 7.3 rebounds over seven career NBA seasons.
P. O'Kelly--BTZ
