Cavs: Predicting 3 most impactful bench players in 2021-22

Predicting the Cavs’ three most impactful bench players – #1: Lauri Markkanen

This one was not that difficult to come up with. Markkanen did have some struggles in the past two seasons with the Bulls, plenty to injuries, coaching flux and some role inconsistencies, but he is a gifted offensive player.

In that way, the catch-and-shoot prowess and spacing element with Markkanen had to have been the draw for him for Cleveland, and was.

Even with the attempts coming a fair amount from way downtown, Markkanen has still had a respectable 36.6 percent clip from three through four seasons, of which he’s had 6.4 deep attempts per contest. Last season, even with some changes with role and finishing out as a bench player, he did knock in 40.2 percent of his 5.8 deep attempts; so that jumps out in this sense.

Markkanen, even with Mobley/Allen, should get a bunch of minutes in games, and even as a bench guy, could reportedly get 26-30 minutes per game regularly.

In that time, if he can stay healthy, I’d firmly expect Markkanen to be a go-to sniper target for Cleveland. And with him being able to create his own some off-the-bounce, as a sixth man-type guy, Markkanen looks to be Cleveland’s obvious choice to be the squad’s most impactful bench player in 2021-22.

We’ll have to see how Markkanen meshes with guys such as Sexton, Garland and others, but with Markkanen being a polished off-ball player, I’d think offensively, if he’s available, he’ll be just fine.