3 reasons Lauri Markkanen should start for the Cavs at small forward

3 reasons Lauri Markkanen should start for Cavs: Fits better with starting lineup

The bottom line of Lauri Markkanen starting at small forward is that it worked. Lineups with Markkanen, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley on the court together outscored opponents by 7.9 points per 100 possessions. Add in Darius Garland, and that number spikes to 12.2.

That success very well might not carry over into a bench role. If Markkanen comes off of the bench instead of in the starting lineup, he will likely be playing significant minutes alongside Kevin Love, another stretch-big with questionable defensive chops. Opposing guards will be able to punish such lineups in space and likely get to the rim with ease.

Markkanen and Love shared the court for 546 minutes last season, and together they had a net rating of +1.9, not crippling but not as good as his fit with other players. When paired with Evan Mobley, Markkanen helped the Cavs to a +3.6 net rating. With Allen? That number was 4.7. And with Darius Garland? A whopping +8.4.

Now add on the fact that the Cavs’ potential options as shot creators off the bench, be that Caris LeVert or Collin Sexton, are themselves poor defenders. The Cavs are building an identity based on defense and size, and moving Markkanen to the bench compromises that due to the pairings it foists onto any lineup.