The 2025-26 season was another case of tantalizing production undercut by availability. Markkanen opened the year on fire, erupting for a career-high 51 points against Phoenix in October and stringing together a run of 30-point outings that pushed his scoring to a career-high pace. Then the attrition set in. An illness cost him seven straight games in January, followed by a steady parade of rest days, groin and knee issues, and finally a right hip impingement that ended his season after February 23. He finished at 26.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.0 steal, but across just 42 games. It was a box-score bounceback from his 47-game, sub-20-point 2024-25, yet the fifth straight year he failed to clear 66 appearances. Utah's load management on a tanking roster grew aggressive enough to draw an NBA fine. Looking ahead, due to an improved roster and a change to the NBA lottery system, tanking seems less likely to be on the table. Another swing factor is usage. Utah drafted Darryn Peterson No. 2 overall - an elite shot creator - and surrounds him with Keyonte George, sophomore Ace Bailey, plus veterans Jusuf Nurkic and Jaren Jackson. A more competitive, more crowded roster could trim the enormous scoring burden Markkanen shouldered through the rebuild, potentially capping his ceiling even as it boosts efficiency. His extension through 2028-29 ensures a long leash, but a Jazz team climbing the standings won't need to force-feed him.