2 goals for Cavs’ Lauri Markkanen in the 2022-23 season

Goal #1: Get back to shooting 40 percent from three

The first goal for Markkanen for the 2022-23 season is to return to shooting 40% from three. Last season, he clearly fell short of this number, shooting 35.8% from beyond the arc. But in his last year with the Chicago Bulls before joining the Cavs, Markkanen shot 40.2% from distance. That season was by far the best shooting year that Markkanen has had as a professional.

Despite this, regardless of the opportunities for him, this goal is clearly attainable, given Markkanen’s catch-and-shoot touch he’s often displayed in his career overall. Over his five seasons in the NBA, Markkanen is a 36.4% three-point shooter, so this goal while lofty, it’s still very realistic for him. He did close out last season strong, too.

Granted, for the year last season, he ranked 191st in three-point percentage in the league. If he were able to get up to 40% next year, that would put him at tied for 69th with Enes Freedom, Gary Clark, Markus Howard, Nicolas Batum, Nik Stauskas, Richaun Holmes, and Patty Mills. In fairness, wouldn’t frankly be considered near qualifying in terms of attempts, of which Markkanen had a considerable share.

Still, if Markkanen is able to achieve this goal, it would mean great things for the Cavs. He would take a step up in his ability to stretch the floor and it would really open up the rest of the court for players like Darius Garland, Collin Sexton, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.