Basketball player Lauri Markkanen tells Urheilu that he would like to stay in Utah.
Joel Holma,
Antti-Jussi Sipilä
Speculation Finland’s basketball peak Lauri Markkanen to trading in the NBA have come to the fore in December.
– I don’t know if (the transfer rumours) are fanciful. Friends have asked if they dare to book flights (to the games), says Markkanen in an interview with Urheilu.
The Finnish NBA star moved to Salt Lake City for the Utah Jazz last season and was selected for the league’s all-star game.
– I can’t comment any further, we’ll see what happens. I hope we stay here.
Markkanen admits that the brutality of the sport has become familiar in recent years. In addition to Utah, the Finn has played in the NBA in Chicago and Cleveland.
– When you do things right or wrong, it always feels like there are trade speculations going on there. Still, it seems that those deals always come from the box. We still don’t think about it at home. Thoughts are in this moment.
Markkanen says that his family enjoys Salt Lake City.
– There is a bit of a Finnish feel here. Everyone here is afraid of the winter cold, but the cold hasn’t bothered us. This feels like a safe city.
Back on the playing field
Markkanen raised his level last season and has played well this past season as well.
One injury can fit into the season: the 213-centimeter Finn returned to the NBA floor this week after a two-week layoff.
– There was some sort of strain in the hind thighs. A few days after the injury went by quite calmly. Then rehabilitation began.
Markkanen says that the leg already feels good. After the Knicks game, the Finn was sidelined for one game as a precaution.
– Didn’t think about that leg in the first game. I noticed at the end of the match that the leg was tired. It’s in pretty good shape now. It feels good.
Markkanen still doesn’t play full minutes yet. Markkanen says that he will play 24-25 minutes against Sacramento next night. The number of games is therefore gradually increased.
Utah has had a tough season. Markkanen still believes that the team will still seriously fight for a place in the playoffs this season.
Markkanen spends Christmas at home in Salt Lake City.
– We’ll be at home on the eve and then on Christmas day we’ll go on a trip to an away game.
Markkane has one wish for Christmas: to go to a Christmas sauna.
– We have an outdoor sauna. It is a Finnish sauna and has been used a lot.