Lauri Markkanen has had a breakout season in 2022-23, emerging as an All-Star and possibly the future of the Utah Jazz.
Currently, Markkanen’s Jazz are out of the play-in race but had a strong year where they were far more competitive than expected. The Finnish star will be spending his offseason this year serving his mandatory military service period in his country.
Lauri Markkanen will serve in Finland’s military this offseason, which is mandatory for male citizens by age 30
(via @ramonashelburne) pic.twitter.com/xzOG35JUt6
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 6, 2023
The Jazz star is not going to be in any danger per se but will have to live in the barracks as a member of the military over the summer. He can look at it as an alternative training method that may just help him before coming back for the 2023-24 season in October. Markkanen spent last summer representing Finland in EuroBasket 2022, where he was one of the best players in the tournament.
The Utah Jazz Have Secured Their Future
The Utah Jazz have been playoff mainstays for half a decade in the West but will not be in the postseason this year. They traded away franchise cornerstones Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, receiving Markkanen in the Mitchell trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Markkanen is averaging 25.6 points and 8.6 rebounds this season while shooting 39.7% from three-point range. He has filled in the gap left by the two stars that were moved in the summer. The Jazz have pieces like Lauri and Walker Kessler to build around with the army of draft capital, a valuable 2023 lottery pick, and young players.
The Jazz could’ve been more competitive this season if they didn’t blow their roster up during the trade deadline, with Mike Conley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and Malik Beasley leaving the team.
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