"Lauri Markkanen's Asking Price Is 'Four or Five 1st-Round Picks'

The Utah Jazz haven't committed to a rebuild, yet they seem years away from being a contender in the West following a 31-win season.

The future of Lauri Markkanen should be their main concern, as he will be an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Plenty of teams should call about the forward, who fits a number of contenders as an offensive force who can put the ball on the floor or knock down threes at a near 40.0 percent clip.

The asking price for the 26-year-old is reportedly astronomical, though.

"In a big picture, Markkanen's value to the Jazz is so great that it's going to take an offer that is probably not going to come to pry him from the Jazz," Tony Jones of The Athletic wrote. "Something like four or five first-round picks, and a star-level talent coming over."

Markkanen is good, but this would be a ridiculous price to pay for someone with one year left on their contract who wasn't even named an All-Star this past season. He averaged 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and shot 39.9 percent from three, with his scoring ranking 26th overall.

A fair value would be closer to two quality first-round picks and a promising young player, not four or five and a star.

If this is truly the price, Markkanen isn't leaving Utah.

BS Meter: Total BS that someone would pay this for Markkanen, especially going into free agency next year."