Lauri Markkanen has been named the 22-23 NBA Most Improved Player.

Markkanen received 69 first place votes, 27 second place votes and four third place votes to finish with 430 total points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished second, while Jalen Brunson finished third.

Markkanen averaged 25.6 points per game on 49.9 percent shooting overall and 39.1 percent from 3-point range.

The Utah Jazz will fill their open roster spot by signing big man Vernon Carey Jr to a two-year contract. Carey has been a free agent since being waived on March 1 by the Washington Wizards.

Carey has appeared in 37 NBA games with the Charlotte Hornets and Wizards over the first three years of his NBA career. He was selected with the second pick of the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Hornets.

In 28 G League games with the Capital City Go-Go this season, Carey averaged 21.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. He also put together 60/37/70 shooting splits.

The Jazz intend to give Carey a long look throughout Summer League and training camp ahead of next season. The 6-foot-9 big man will bring some additional depth to the frontcourt this offseason.

The Utah Jazz signed Luka Samanic through the 2023-24 season, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

The 23-year-old was drafted by the Spurs with the 19th pick in 2019 draft.

Samanic is averaging 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds through four games with the Jazz this season. 

While the Los Angeles Lakers struggled in the first half of the season while keeping Russell Westbrook on their roster, the cost of trading him for players who could help them this season decreased dramatically closer to the trade deadline.

Sources tell Jake Fischer of Yahoo that during the preseason both the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers indicated it would take two future first round picks for them to take on Westbrook and his $46.2 million salary.

As the trade deadline approached, the Jazz informed the Lakers they were willing to accept just one first round pick for Westbrook while also including Jarred Vanderbilt. 

The Lakers were able to acquire Vanderbilt, D'Angelo Russell and Malik Beasley for Westbrook and a protected future first round pick. Westbrook was eventually bought out and signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. 

Utah Jazz forward and breakout start Lauri Markkanen is going to have a different kind of summer from most of his NBA contemporaries. This summer, Markkanen will complete his requirement of serving in the Finnish military.

All male citizens of Finland must complete mandatory military service before they turn 30 years old. Markkanen has previously postponed his service while in college at Arizona, playing for the Finnish national team, and last season when the Cleveland Cavaliers made the Play-In Tournament.

Markkanen said while the service is mandatory, it's something he's proud to do.

"It's mandatory, we have to do it, but at the same time we take pride in it, too," said Markkanen. "I think it sets an example to serve. And I'm confident I can do it in a way that it's not going to affect my preparation for next season, either. Of course, I'd rather be working out like I normally do (in the offseason), but I've heard they do a good job of combining the two. You're able to do your job working as an athlete and your basic training at the same time."

Walker Kessler entered concussion protocol on Monday, likely signaling the end of his rookie season.

Kessler suffered the injury on Sunday against the Nets.

Kessler averaged 9.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in his rookie season.