Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen’s Chances of Winning MVP Are Revealed

The Utah Jazz’s Lauri Markkanen has just been named the league’s Most Improved Player. Is there a possibility that he’ll get better? To say is difficult. The Most Improved Player award is often given, in hindsight, to a player who has had a career year. However, we shouldn’t draw conclusions about Markkanen based on those criteria. 

He scored a career-high 25.6 points per game in his debut season wearing a Jazz jersey, pulling down 8.6 rebounds. Those stats were enough to earn Markkanen a spot in his first All-Star game, but he seems to have a long chance to win the 2024 MVP.

However, Utah Jazz players are considered dark horses to win any kind of award as the oddsmakers continue to disclose NBA Odds for the upcoming season. The most recent comes from Bodog, who gave shooting guard Jordan Clarkson 200-1 odds and All-Star forward Lauri Markkanen 80-1 chances to win the NBA MVP title in 2024.

32 players, according to the Bodog oddsmaker, have a higher chance than Markkanen to win the prize, while three players are seen as equals. Players Mikal Bridges, Zach LaVine, and Jalen Brunson were all given odds of 80-1.

Clarkson has received honors before; in 2021, he was named Sixth Man of the Year. Although Clarkson did improve his chances by setting career-high averages for points (20.4) and assists (4.4) during the 2022–23 season, it is surprising that the oddsmakers offered him a shot to win the NBA’s most coveted honor.

The Jazz must be one of the top seeds in the Western Conference if Markkanen or Clarkson are to have any chance of winning MVP. Despite being an individual honor, it is granted to members of successful teams throughout the regular season. The Jazz are presently expected to win 35 games this season, according to the oddsmakers.

Karl Malone was the lone Jazz player to ever return the MVP trophy to Salt Lake City in 1997 and 1999.

Five Jazz players to play FIBA World Cup this month

In the FIBA World Cup, which starts later this month, five Utah Jazz players will represent their nations.

Walker Kessler, Kelly Olynyk, Simone Fontecchio, Jordan Clarkson, and five more players will represent five of the 32 World Cup-playing nations.

From August 25 to September 10, the competition will take place in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

Lauri Markkanen – Finland

All-Star Lauri Markkanen will make a triumphant comeback to the Finnish national team, where he debuted last summer before signing with the Jazz.

Markkanen averaged 28 points and eight rebounds during the FIBA EuroBasket Tournament, including a 43-point performance in a surprise victory against Croatia.

In Group E, Markkanen will compete against Germany, Australia, and Japan.

On August 25, Finland’s national team plays Australia to begin group play.

Jordan Clarkson – Philippines

In two appearances for the Philippines in the FIBA Qualifiers last year, Clarkson averaged 25 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.5 assists.

The Philippines was selected as one of the three World Cup hosts on an automatic basis.

Later this month, when they perform in Manila in front of a home audience, Clarkson is scheduled to join the group.

The Filipino team will compete in Group A and play the Dominican Republic on August 25 before games against Angola and Italy.

Walker Kessler – USA

Kessler, the lone Jazz player on Team USA, will have to compete for playing time on a squad full with NBA talent.

The Jazz center will represent Team USA wearing number 14 when camp gets underway before taking part in four exhibition games.

Group C pairs Team USA with Jordan, New Zealand, and Greece.

Kessler will host New Zealand on August 26 for Team USA, marking his World Cup debut.

Kelly Olynyk – Canada

After a successful four-game run last summer in which the big man averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds, Olynyk will re-join Team Canada.

One of the most talented teams in the FIBA World Cup is Canada, which has 10 NBA players on its roster, including Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jamal Murray, a former Jazz player.

In Group H, the Canadians will battle against Lebanon, Latvia, and France.

On August 25, Canada will make their debut against Rudy Gobert and France.

Simone Fontecchio – Italy

After making three appearances in the qualifiers from the previous year, Fontecchio is back to compete for the Italian national team, averaging 21 points, five rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game.

The only NBA player to suit up for the Italian roster this summer is the Jazz’s wing.

Group A’s opponents for Italy are Clarkson, the Philippines, Angola, and the Dominican Republic.

On August 25, Italy and Fontecchio will face Angola in the World Cup opener.

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