Feb 24, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen (right) slaps hands with guard Isaiah Collier (13) during the second half of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Jazz's Lauri Markkanen Expresses Frustration After Rough Season

Originally posted on Utah Jazz on SI | By Jared Koch | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 1:00 PM ET

It was nothing short of a bumpy, ugly season the Utah Jazz were challenged with during the 2024-25 campaign, one filled with tons of learning experiences and development faced throughout.

For Lauri Markkanen, it was much of the same. He battled injuries throughout the course of the season to keep him in the mix for only 47 games, averaged his lowest points per game and shooting averages since arriving in Utah, and being on a squad putting together 17 total wins on the season doesn't help much either.

When asking Markkanen himself about how the year unraveled, he made it clear it was a frustrating process to take head-on, but he still managed to gather some valuable tools in the midst of the struggles.

"Ups and downs– as every season, I would say," Markkanen said. "Like, it was frustrating at times just being out and not being able to be out there with teammates and win some more games. It's frustrating. So you learn to give yourself a little bit of grace when you're doing the right things, but things are not working out. You learn things about yourself, and when you're out there, spending time with a lot of the same guys as last year, getting to know them, learning new things, and stuff like that. So, up and down."

While competitive ball wasn't in the cards for Markkanen or the Jazz this season, the time didn't go wasted. The All-Star talent still made sure to stamp down his impact as a veteran contributor for the young core, finding better chemistry with his surrounding roster, while still facilitating some internal development, too.

No one expected the Jazz to be reaching playoff-level basketball this season, and entering the year, Markkanen likely knew those expectations as well. It's a tough situation for any player to face, but as Markkanen inked his five-year contract down this summer to stay for the long haul, it was well-known this rebuild would be a long-spanning, methodical one built to win a championship.

In the meantime, the process isn't pretty, but Markkanen seems to hold faith in what this Jazz unit has in store for the future, as he has since arriving three summers ago. Entering next season, he'll be healthier, Utah should have an improved roster, and with it, some extended success may come in the standings, compared to what was shown across their most recent efforts.

All of that's to say, don't lose hope on Markkanen or his long-term fit in Utah. Having a bit of patience will be valuable in the process, but the long-term vision is clear between both the Jazz star and the front office.

This article first appeared on Utah Jazz on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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