The Cleveland Cavaliers have many questions that need answered and with the 2021-22 NBA season right around the corner, some of them may take, at the very least, a quarter’s worth of the season to truly answer. Other’s may only require a few games to determine. But at least in the case of one, an answer may be close to being provided.
When the team traded away Akron, Ohio native and franchise-favorite Larry Nance Jr., the fanbase seemed quite divided upon whether or not it was the right move. And, while that move brought in former Chicago Bull Lauri Markkanen, skepticism still ran rampant in regards to just how Markkanen would fit on a team that desperately needed a wing who could defend and space the floor and not necessarily another big.
Further complicating things was the fact that this was a sign-and-trade for the big man. He received a four-year, $67 million deal that could firmly implant him into the Cavs future. I must admit that even I, myself, felt indifferent about the entire transaction. After all, it’s not as if Markkanen was viewed in a favorable light at the time, and one couldn’t be blamed for harboring the mindset that this would further convolute what the rotation would look like.
So what exactly went wrong during his time with the Chicago Bulls?
Chicago moved on from the Finland-native after four up-and-down seasons that at best, could be described as inconsistent. Hopes were high after a solid rookie season in which he averaged 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while canning 36.2 percent of his attempts from range across 68 appearances. He then upped his counting stats nearly across the board during his sophomore year with career-highs in scoring (18.7) and rebounding (9.0), to name a few categories but played in only 52 contests.
Markannen began to resemble everything a team could want in a modern-day stretch 4. He just couldn’t remain healthy throughout the seasons that followed, playing in 101 of a possible 147 games during that span of time. His young career reached a low point during the 2020-21 campaign as he lost his role as a starter midway through that season while producing his lowest seasonal averages to date.
Was his regression a sign of even more struggles to come down the road or just due to not having a clearly defined role, injuries, and poor fit? It’s truly impossible to know the exact reason now that he is donning the wine and gold.
A fresh start and a new role…
A very wise man once said, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and with that in mind, the Cleveland-based squad is clearly hoping that a fresh start with a new organization will be able to revitalize what was once a very promising career. Markkanen, at just 24 years old, still has much to offer in the form of upside for a Cavaliers team in desperate need of spacing. He fits the team’s current timeline and time will tell what his ultimate role is going to be moving forward.
He has looked very engaged and genuinely appears to have bought into whatever head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and co. are selling the team on. Through four preseason games, Markkanen is providing 13.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 53.8 percent from the field and knocking down roughly 46.6 percent of his threes.
Plus, the Finlander has also been playing inspired defense and while he may not ever develop into a defensive stalwart, it’s highly encouraging to see him contributing more in that area. He’s done all this in just 20.5 minutes per game. Imagine if he were given more opportunities.
Speaking of opportunities, might we see stretches in which Markkanen, and Evan Mobley occupy the floor together? It certainly looks like a possibility given the apparent chemistry already being displayed between the two. Mobley’s keen eye for making plays/feel and exceptional court awareness for a man his size will factor heavily into finding more ways to get Markkanen involved on the offensive end.
The same applies with the time that he will share with both Ricky Rubio and Kevin Love as well considering the level of passing acumen among those three. He should be able to thrive on the bench with players of that ilk.
Is there an eventual lineup change on the horizon for the Cavs?
That remains to be seen, but there is certainly a precedent for it. While the backcourt duo of Collin Sexton and Darius Garland are respectable shooters from range, the amount of spacing provided from the Cavs presumed frontcourt is still very much a concern. Isaac Okoro has not looked great as a three-point shooter and it might be unfair to ask him to become an even more effective cutter when there just isn’t much there due to Mobley and Jarrett Allen inhabiting the painted area so often.
If Okoro continues to struggle from range, a midseason move could be made to alleviate some of the spacing concerns and Markkanen will undoubtedly get some looks at the small forward position much like he did in the Cavs most recent preseason game in which he got the nod there.
He is nimble enough to pose legitimate matchup problems on the offensive end and his size allows him to be an irritant both on and off-ball when engaged.
While I truly think it’s in the Cavs best interest to keep Okoro out there in the starting lineup, even I can’t continue to deny that if the struggles persist, a change may be best for all parties.
Markkanen could and should garner every opportunity to showcase his many talents and if this preseason has been any indication, he in the midst of experiencing a career reawakening.