Lauri Markkanen Answers Tough Question on Jazz's Future

After three seasons of the Utah Jazz hitting the reset button on their roster and core, the team still sits amid their rebuild, far away from title contention in the Western Conference.

Like any young, growing roster, the Jazz still have some development and progression to take on to build a sustainable winner, but with that process comes a few lingering concerns for the veterans taking on the tough years, such as Lauri Markkanen.

Markkanen did cement his place on the Jazz roster for the foreseeable future with his five-year, $280 million-plus extension last summer. But, with Utah being fresh off a 17-win season, still many steps away from a championship-contending team, it makes for an interesting question in the eyes of some: what gives Markkanen the confidence to sign a deal to stay onboard long-term?

When asking Markkanen, it comes down to one simple factor: trust. Not only due to his conversations with the Jazz front office, but at all levels of what the team has built across recent years.

"The big thing is getting to know them as people, what they value, and how they approach their job," Markkanen said during his end-of-season presser. "Obviously, their track record, the teams they've built in the past, I think that gives me plenty of confidence. Having Ryan as an owner, getting to know him more. I'm really happy with where we're at, and that gives me the confidence and trust in them. I get to worry about actually getting better as a player and producing on a basketball court."