It has to be added we saw few VERY short, small flashes on 2025 he still can be a force, but when he had few better games, that's when he was DNP'd for several games. His best games was on latter part of this season, when Collier ran the floor.
I have been thinking Jazz isn't really considering him to be on the market earlier than 2026-2027, which is why they didn't care about if his market value takes a hit. Why would they put him in iffy looks if they really was thinking this is the summer they'll expect offers? It wasn't something they probably was banking on at all. Yeah, speculative ****, but it's a boring times so it's all I got.
I think Jazz calculates the risk of his value going down is worth it, in case Jazz lands the clear #1 option, as they already know how well he played next to Conley, and 2022-23 Jordan Clarkson, whose dominant games were a bit looked down honestly. It was a really good season for JC in the offensive end and it allowed Lauri to be on his best. The league hadn't yet catched up on how mean threat he can be if they wont draw better defensive plans on him.
And why the risk of Lauri's value temporarily going down a bit might be worth it? There's few reasons: Jazz is in the middle of the rebuild, and at the time they can start winning more, Lauri has maybe two seasons left on his contract,three, if Jazz surprisingly is good on 26-27 already. At that point, his salary compared to the growing salary cap will be a less of a trouble to teams looking for the "final piece", maybe the luxyry #3 option or #2 option, in case if Lauri bounces back closer to his All star level.
Lauri's last season of contract is also only 22% of the cap which is pretty decent for a third option type of 7ft finisher. If Jazz has got their blooming rookie in style of Flagg, Lauri probably stays,and if not, they are going to probably look for the best possible deal.
I see it this way: next season Jazz needs to desert "let's try shots Lauri never have taken in his life", and when he plays, we draw the sets that makes him look good. As we see, Jazz can then just sit down whoever tf they want for the sake of tanking. 100K fine? Let me laugh... We can build up his value and still lose, if needed.
They can get more out of Lauri and still tank. I'd trade few offensive guards/wings away that only scores and has zero defense, and give those fga's to Lauri, and rookie contract players, whose value and growth must be the absolute no1 thing for Jazz.
