Cavs: Identifying the team's most likely award winner

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Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls. Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images /

Cavs: Identifying the team’s most likely award winner – No. 3: Lauri Markkanen

One of the team’s offseason additions this summer has one of the best shots at winning an award next year. Lauri Markkanen comes to the Cavs by way of a couple of inconsistent seasons in Chicago, which set his market low enough for the Cavs to add him at a reasonable price.

Even so, Markkanen is an incredibly talented player, and he will likely earn a significant role given the team’s need for shooting and financial investment. Especially if he is playing in lineups with some combination of Ricky Rubio, Isaac Okoro, Lamar Stevens and Jarrett Allen he will be relied upon to help generate offense and take shots.

Coming off the bench behind a rookie in Evan Mobley should also secure significant minutes for Markkanen. If Markkanen can put together a season where he averages in the high-teens for points per game, with high-level 3-point shooting, he could be a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year.

The award usually goes to the highest-scoring bench players, guys like Jordan Clarkson and Lou Williams. Markkanen likely won’t crack 20 points per game, but he can get reasonably close, and with efficiency and some solid rebounding numbers thrown in he has a shot at bringing home the trophy.