Lauri Markkanen: 3 Potential free agency destinations
Lauri Markkanen Free Agency Fits: Cleveland Cavaliers
Number two on the list is a team that has not been linked to Markkanen yet in the Cleveland Cavaliers. Like the team atop this list, the fit and potential for cap space to sign him are what leads to the connection.
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The Cavaliers have a young team filled with promising players. Their future is bright, and Markkanen would seemingly fit in perfectly. It would require moving Kevin Love but that is something they will likely try to do once again this off-season.
If they move him they would be able to replace him with a younger, more athletic version of a similar player in terms of providing floor spacing. It would hurt them in rebounding, but Love is not playing much for them these days anyway and doesn’t fit their timeline at all.
The Cavs have a great fit in terms of starting center to play next to Lauri in Jarrett Allen. His ability to block shots and contest shots at the rim would help cover for some of the weaknesses Markkanen has on that end of the floor.
He is also a strong rebounder, which is a huge need next to Markkanen. The big reason for this fit is because of the teams starting backcourt, though. Darius Garland and Collin Sexton are very good at attacking the rim.
Allen is a very good rim runner and is lethal rolling to the rim. That is where Markkanen is a huge asset as a floor spacer that must be respected by the defense. It gives players a lot more room to operate and that is how to best use the trio of Allen, Sexton and Garland.