Cavs: 2 key ways Lauri Markkanen will help Collin Sexton’s growth

#2: Markkanen will help Sexton’s finishing growth for the Cavs

Secondly, it’s not exactly rocket science, but Markkanen’s spacing/shooting element should help Sexton continue to develop into a more effective finisher.

Last season, it was evident that Sexton coming into Year 3 stronger and more put together led to him improving as a finisher on drives/cuts in settled offense and in transition.

After he demonstrated improvement in that area in Year 2, when he had 28 And-1s and looked to be taking on contact more, he took that a step further in Year 3, when he had 39 And-1s.

That wasn’t even with a stretch big like Markkanen, who again can knock down looks off movement, in the fold, as Love and Sexton took time to get their chemistry down, to an extent at least the season prior. And Love was hampered by injury last season, as we noted; their chemistry is now far better than earlier on, but Love’s role will likely be reduced.

In any case, with Markkanen seemingly getting his share of playing time next season/looking onward with Sexton, whether that’s with Jarrett Allen/Evan Mobley on with him, Sexton should have a bit wider lanes, and he’ll be able to get downhill more.

In turn, and this includes transition, where Markkanen is a knockdown threat as a trailer/wing lane filler, Sexton should be able to have momentum leading to the rim, where his strength should lead to him showing further growth in the restricted area.

The shooting element of Markkanen, who could be a screener for Sexton at times too, should enable Sexton to get perhaps a half step more with helpers a bit more hesitant to help to him as well.

That should lead to him being able to get downhill easier and could aid Sexton in initiating contact, generating again his share of free throws and in the transition game once again.

He’ll be even tougher to account with a potential shooting threat of Markkanen, who runs the floor far better than a player like Love at this point, also.

Sexton had 4.2 transition points per contest last season and placed in the 69th percentile on a 14.7 percent frequency, for what it’s worth, per Synergy Sports. Markkanen on the floor with him a considerable amount will only make him more dangerous there.