These 3 Cavs should hit the ground running next season

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Lauri Markkanen, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by David Richard-USA TODAY Sports) /

#2: Lauri Markkanen

Secondly, I personally believe we’ll see Lauri Markkanen keep his momentum going from the close to this season.

Markkanen’s first year with the Cavaliers following his sign-and-trade acquisition from the Chicago Bulls was one with inconsistencies, and it took him time to establish a rhythm. Unfortunately for Markkanen, after he looked to be hitting his stride and much more comfortable in early-to-mid January, he missed 11 games leading into the All-Star break.

When he came back, while some of it had to do with Jarrett Allen’s absence featuring him more at the 4 spot offensively, instead of a de facto 3, where he was often this season, Markkanen was on-point All-Star. Then, he had 16.7 points per game and connected on 38.1 percent from three, and was settling in more, and playing off other Cavaliers well.

It’s still not clear if the tall-ball lineup can work looking onward, but Markkanen with Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen was a meaningful defensive wrinkle when the trio was healthy, and the Cavaliers should try that out more next season.

It does seem that even with there not being a ton of trade rumors involving him, though, that Markkanen could be a potential trade piece before next season, perhaps in a deal for an established wing. Jerami Grant has been rumored to be a potential trade target, for instance, and Markkanen as part of salary matching could be involved, in that scenario.

I still would expect Markkanen to be back next season, to clear that up, however, and with how he came on as a shooter and flashed some driving and post-up ability at times even with the two other bigs often with him, I’d imagine Markkanen starts off next season well. He’s an instinctive cutter, too, in that realm.

This season, it was understandable for Markkanen to start slow in a new situation. But next season, even with a potential wing draft selection, and with others involved, I still believe we’ll see Markkanen get a bunch of opportunities. And with better chemistry and feel for his sweet spots, he could very well get off to a really good start this go-round.