Cleveland Cavaliers: The 2 biggest X-factors in 2021-22

Cavs X-factor #1 in 2021-22: Lauri Markkanen

For now, I’m penciling in Markkanen as potentially being Cleveland’s biggest X-factor in 2021-22, and the key word there is penciling (that’s not pen, folks).

Markkanen should seemingly be in a bench role for next season it appears, as Cleveland should see what they have in the Mobley-Allen 4/5 starting pairing for this next year. With their situation, they might as well, and defensively, that duo could be dynamic and with Mobley’s passing abilities, I do believe as they gain more experience, it could be formidable in coming years.

Even so, with Markkanen’s catch-and-shoot abilities, movement shooting and with how he should make a difference for the Cavs spacing when he’s in there, I clearly see him as a go-to bench option, and he should be a crucial target for Garland and Sexton, among others.

Markkanen’s taken a step back production-wise the past two seasons, and whether it be injuries, coaching/organizational change, or last season, roster moves, it was evident that things looked stale for him with Chicago.

He’ll get a new opportunity here with the Cavaliers though, and while it will be likely a bench role for next season, there will be ample looks for him, and Markkanen will have the ultimate green light, as was stressed in his introductory presser.

Despite a bit of a scale back/dip in overall production, Markkanen did hit 40.2 percent of his 5.8 three-point attempts per game last season with the Bulls, and this next season, I could foresee him leading qualified Cavs in three-point shooting percentage.

The key for Markkanen will be staying available. In the past three seasons, and I’m discounting his batch of COVID-19 health and safety protocol absences last season, he objectively has only been active in 52, 50 and 51 outings. Even with the past two seasons being reduced, Markkanen has had problems staying healthy.

If he can be mostly healthy for the Wine and Gold, though, I do believe that in a new situation, he could provide a big-time boost for Cleveland’s shooting efforts, and I don’t gloss over how he can impact the Cavs’ transition efforts as a trailer and/or cutter, either.

Overall, Markkanen, Mobley and Allen will reportedly play a considerable minutes-share anyway, and if he can remain available, the bench spark Markkanen could give could lead to him being the biggest X-factor for Cleveland next season.