Despite shooting woes, Cavs need to stick with Lauri Markkanen starting

We’ve still seen what Markkanen can provide when he’s on, and he should probably stick through the deadline, also

Even with Markkanen’s struggles, prior to this slump, he did still have a very hot stretch offensively coming out of protocols and leading into mid-December, and the hot shooting display from him was big for the Cavs. From Nov. 22-Dec. 15, he did have 14.6 points per game, and connected on 38.2 percent of his attempts from downtown.

Lastly, although Markkanen could theoretically be a darkhorse candidate to be traded as part of a package with the contracts of say, Sexton or Rubio, and/or with potential future draft compensation, I do still believe it’d behoove the Cavaliers to stick with him.

I would get it if the Cavs tried to pursue players such as Buddy Hield, Caris LeVert or Eric Gordon via trade, but I still have my doubts about guys such as Jaylen Brown or Brandon Ingram, ideal targets, being that available by the Feb. 10 trade deadline. I’m not sure Hield, LeVert or Gordon could really make the Cavaliers that much better, either. Cleveland’s bench would likely be more depleted in doing so, too, and I’m not crazy about moving Sexton still.

And even with some injury history with Chicago, Markkanen is still just 24, he can create some of his own offense, is much better in transition than given credit for, and the Cavs have had plenty of success with him starting with Mobley and Allen.

The Wine and Gold should keep going with Lauri in there starting, as I still do believe as his chemistry with others improves, we’ll see the shot come around more. The interior impact provided by the 7-footer from Finland has been more prevalent lately as well.