Utah Jazz ahead Lauri Markkanen sat down with The Stein Line for a wide-ranging interview. One of many matters was how Markkanen felt being in commerce rumors all summer time, earlier than signing a contract extension with Utah.
“I imply … it is cool to know that you simply’re needed and it signifies that you’ve got finished one thing proper on the basketball court docket that groups wish to get you. .. I used to be capable of take it fairly straightforward and never fear about it,” Markkanen mentioned in regards to the rumors of different groups pursuing him.
These rumors have been put to relaxation when Markkanen labored a renegotiation-and-extend contract to stick with the Jazz.
“Clearly I wasn’t a free agent, but it surely was extra I had the power to do the contract and type of had the selection,” Markkanen mentioned. “I haven’t got to do it, however that was one thing I needed to get finished to stick with the workforce.”
One of many veteran ahead’s causes for staying in Utah is that it reminds him of his house nation of Finland.
“It jogs my memory of house I suppose. It’s totally Finland-like — open air. I am an outside particular person. It is not as a lot water as we have now in Finland, however like I mentioned, I am an outside particular person. I need to go exterior,” Markkanen mentioned of dwelling within the Salt Lake Metropolis space.
