Cavs: 3 lineups with Lauri Markkanen they should try

4 of 4

Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls. Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images /

Cavs: 3 lineups with Lauri Markkanen – Jumbo Look

Darius Garland – Isaac Okoro – Lauri Markkanen – Evan Mobley – Jarrett Allen

The Cleveland Cavaliers are lightest on the wing. Jarrett Allen, Kevin Love, Evan Mobley and Lauri Markkanen all fit best at one of the two big spots, as do Dean Wade, Mfiondu Kabengele and honestly Lamar Stevens is a 4 more than a 3. At the other end Darius Garland and Ricky Rubio are pure point guards, and Collin Sexton is just 6’1″ at the 2. Their decently-sized wings consist of Isaac Okoro, Cedi Osman and Dylan Windler, with Damyean Dotson as a deep backup.

If the Cavs want to get big, therefore, they have to get creative. One way to accomplish that is to play Lauri Markkanen at the 3 alongside Evan Mobley at the 4, a pair of 7-footers alongside a center in Jarrett Allen. Markkanen can space the floor at the 3, and Mobley has enough ball skills to play some of the time on the perimeter. This group would rebound excellently.

Okoro sticks around as a wing defender, as Markkanen has to be hidden on the least threatening option. Their size would help them to thrive with more conservative schemes, walling off the paint and daring teams to shoot. Many will, but a team can build a decent, or even good defense by overloading on size and protecting the rim. The offensive skills of this group would help them survive on the other end, and Mobley and Allen could eat on the offensive glass.

It’s an incredibly small sample size, but Markkanen played 10 percent of his 1,298 minutes last season at the 3, and the Bulls played very well in those minutes. They rebounded at an astronomical rate, especially on offense (34.5 percent, 99th percentile leaguewide), although they also rarely forced turnovers.

dark. Next. Grading the Lauri Markkanen deal from all angles

However head coach J.B. Bickerstaff chooses to deploy Markkanen, the conclusion is that he has a versatile offensive player on his hands, one whose shooting unlocks plenty of options for constructing a group. Whether Markkanen starts or comes off the bench, the Cavs can do a lot around him, including any of these three bold lineups.