Cavs: Grading the Lauri Markkanen deal from all angles

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Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls. Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /

Cavs: Grading the Lauri Markkanen deal from all angles – On-court fit

The Cleveland Cavaliers have a stretch-big on the roster, namely former All-NBA power forward Kevin Love. Unfortunately for Love and the Cavs he has been unable to stay healthy, and when he got his chance with Team USA this summer looked terrible. The team simply cannot count on him this season, and especially not long-term.

Having a stretch-big in the modern NBA, especially one who can play minutes at the 5, is so helpful it borders on essential. Spacing from the 5 opens up the court for backcourt players to attack the paint, forcing opposing bigs into impossible decisions trying to protect the rim and get out to a shooter.

Markkanen provides that. He is lethal in a spot-up role, both off-ball standing in the corners or above the break. He can also play well in a pick-and-pop, with opposing defenders rightfully scared to leave him and drop under the pick. Where Markkanen is truly unique is with his shot movement, able to balance, square and shoot quickly coming off of screens.

What Markkanen is not is a high-level passer, but the team is hoping Evan Mobley can fill that role. It does hurt to give up Larry Nance Jr.’s excellent passing on a roster with a limited number of plus distributors. The loss of Nance is also a blow to their defense, but the goal is that Markkanen will pair with either Jarrett Allen or Mobley, which should help to cover for his inconsistencies in that area.

When Allen is on the court Markkanen can play the 4, and when Mobley plays they can both play both spots depending on the matchups on the court. Markkanen is not a pure 5, but he can survive there for stretches, and is a reasonable rebounder even if he doesn’t provide much rim protection.

Assuming Love is not long for the Cavs, he is a really good fit in a three-big rotation alongside Mobley and Allen, and brings a spacing element this team lacked. The on-court fit is the best part of this entire transaction.

Grade: A