Garland, other Cavs should be in-sync with Markkanen from jump in ’22-23

Lauri Markkanen had some ups and downs this season in his first with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he was adjusting to playing often with two bigs in Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, and was in a new situation.

As the season progressed, fortunately, Markkanen seemed much more comfortable, and on the year, ended out with 14.8 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest. Despite a tough start and him missing an 11-game span mid-season leading into the All-Star break, Markkanen’s three-point shooting clip was 35.8 percent, which was alright, given the new situation and him taking time to adjust.

Now, Markkanen in his time has dealt with inconsistencies, partly because of injuries, and just generally, some streakiness that inherently is there as a stretch forward.

Markkanen did finish this season well, though, and post-All-Star break, he had averages of 16.7 points and 6.2 rebounds per outing. Also in that stretch, he connected on 38.1 percent of his threes.

Some of the increased splits were feasibly due to Jarrett Allen missing from early March on until Cleveland’s second play-in loss to the Atlanta Hawks. But even prior to that, and in a number of stretches earlier, Markkanen’s chemistry playing off Allen and others was improving, I thought.

Next season, I personally think, to that point, that Darius Garland and others should be in-sync with Markkanen from the outset of next season, too.

Garland and plenty of other Cavs should be in-sync with Markkanen from the jump next season.

It took some time for Garland, Allen and others to get on the same page regularly with Markkanen, who again, was going to take his lumps while being featured in a de facto 3 offensive role a considerable amount early on. Regardless of the details, one had to expect Markkanen, in this new scenario, to take some lumps for some chunk of the campaign.

On the plus side, as we alluded to, Markkanen did seem to be in a better rhythm as he got more comfortable, naturally, and after a rough stretch, got back on track and as January progressed, he was turning a corner it appeared. He then suffered a high ankle sprain in late January, and was sidelined through the All-Star break before returning after that, when he was fine the rest of the way it seemed, mostly.

There at times throughout the year, even later on, though, when other Cavaliers weren’t on the same page with Markkanen, whether it was them being a bit off in hitting him for three-point looks, not hitting him as a trailer or being a tad late when he had seals.

Those sort of things are understandable, in fairness, particularly with the plethora of injuries the team dealt with, particularly on the perimeter and to playmakers. Garland himself dealt with a back injury during the season, too, which he and the team had to manage, so that didn’t help, either, nor was Caris LeVert‘s foot injury to begin post-All-Star break play. Diddo for Rajon Rondo regarding an ankle injury for several games.

That said, I did think that Garland, and Evan Mobley’s chemistry with Markkanen did get better, for the most part, as the year wore on, and leading into next season, I’d hope that others can build on that with Lauri from a catch-and-shoot and cutting standpoint, for example.

The close to Markkanen’s season was encouraging, on a positive note, in that realm, too, and at the outset of next season, guys I’d imagine will be much more in-sync with Markkanen’s playstyle and getting him in-rhythm looks. Markkanen was one of the bright spots for the Wine and Gold in their play-in loss to Atlanta, too, with 26 points and six made threes, albeit with most of his damage done in the first half.

Others will be involved aside from Markkanen, of course, as shooters, with Kevin Love seemingly again being one of those guys, given the resurgent year he had, and I’d imagine Dean Wade again will, potentially among others. But either way, Markkanen should receive his share of looks in games, and next season, guys should have better feel for where to look him on the weak side, for instance, and as a situational cutter playing off of others.

Collin Sexton seemingly being back could help in that way, too, based on the passing growth he exhibited early last season at times, and factoring in his progress there in the 2020-21 campaign, when he averaged 4.4 assists per outing. We’ll have to see, and/or the same seemingly for Caris LeVert there, anyhow.

Point being, as we’ve pointed out, based on how there were encouraging signs as the year wore on in 2021-22 with his play, provided there are ample opportunities, Garland and other Cavaliers should be in-sync with Markkanen early on in 2022-23. Hopefully that plays out.