Cavs: Evaluating the fit of Lauri Markkanen with Jarrett Allen

Cavs: Markkanen’s spacing element and shooting will help Allen

Lauri Markkanen’s arrival in Cleveland brings the Cavs a big man that can space the floor and elevate the pace of play for the team. Markkanen is the kind of big that can slide into various spots on a roster. If he and Jarrett Allen were sharing the court together, I believe the best lineup would have Markkanen at the power forward spot, with Allen holding it down at the center position.

Although, while the trade was unexpected, it is not unwelcome. In fact, having Markkanen on the roster gives the Cavs an efficient catch-and-shoot threat, and anyone who watched the Cavs play last year understands how crucial it is to improve the team’s shooting.

Cleveland ranked 30th overall in three-point shooting at 33.6 percent, and 25th in field goal shooting, at 45.0 percent. Markkanen last year alone shot 48.0 percent from the field, on top of 40.2 percent from the three-point line. Bringing Lauri into the fold should bring the Cavaliers some improvement to their shooting.

In today’s league, 7-foot floor spacers that can shoot are rare. Last year, the Cavs only had Kevin Love as a big man that could provide consistent spacing and shooting. Considering Love’s injury-riddled season, those skills he brought to the team were severely limited. Now, with Markkanen in The Land, the Cavaliers have a reliable floor spacer that can bring a reliable interior presence to the team.

Markkanen has had his own injury problems in recent seasons, but if he can stay healthy, his shooting could be invaluable.

Lauri’s spacing and shooting will bring out a new level of productivity in Jarrett Allen. Last year Allen averaged 12.8 points per game, with 10.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. Allen brought a defensive presence to the Cavs that had been lacking. His rebounding talents, when he’s fully good to go and not banged up, make him of the league’s best young centers.

A frontcourt tandem of Lauri and Jarrett would have the potential to create some havoc for opposing teams, in stretches of course, as Evan Mobley should get his share of run as well. To the last point though, if the two bigs have Darius Garland running point, the Cavs could see the young playmaker taking advantage of Markkanen’s catch-and-shoot tendencies, making him a go-to guy in transition play.

Meanwhile, Allen could sneak his way down in the paint to catch any lobs and dominate within the key. Jarrett Allen is a player on the rise, and having Lauri Markkanen on the court for stretches will only help to elevate that rise.