Cavs: Best and worst-case scenarios for Lauri Markkanen in 2021-22

Worst-case scenario for Markkanen for the Cavs in 2021-22: He has extended shooting slumps fairly regularly/his shooting takes a big step back, and the injury bug continually hits him hard

Markkanen, as we alluded to, did have injury struggles with the Bulls in recent seasons, so objectively, that could be a possibility. That’s definitely clear at this juncture, heading into his fifth season.

In a worst-case scenario, him being in and out of the lineup and not being available nearly enough to regularly make an impact in games is something that’d play out in that realm, from my perspective. That’d be unfortunate, and the injury concerns are there and legitimate, with his history with Chicago.

In terms of the on-floor aspect, whether it’s coincided with that possibility or not, Markkanen having extended shooting slumps fairly regularly with the Cavs would play some into a worst-case situation.

He’s had some streakiness with his shooting thus far, sure, and I’d expect him to have somewhat of a slow start, as we touched on before, but in this worst-case scenario, that’d mean overall, he’d take a major step back. That’d be meaning he’d hit only say, 33 or so percent from three, and he’d not be able to take advantage nearly as much on hard closeouts, in reaction to that.

Lastly, just more so generally, if Markkanen were to completely flop this coming season, that’d result in him not fitting at all alongside other pieces in his minutes, and him in that sense looking really disengaged offensively.

Okay, okay, okay, moving past this.

I wouldn’t imagine this worst-case scenario ends up being how things play out for Markkanen this next season. Could he at some point miss some time? One would think that’s possible, but I do think eventually, he’ll make his share of things happen as a shooter, and overall, I do believe he can provide quite a lift off the bench for Cleveland.

We’ll see looking onward from here, anyhow. I do think he’ll look to be a crucial piece moving forward for the Cavaliers, though.