Lauri Markkanen had been hoping free agency would bring a new opportunity and now he has it in Cleveland, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Markkanen got the contract he was looking for — $67MM over four seasons — from the Cavaliers, who officially completed a three-team trade earlier today.
“I don’t think I’ve hit close to my ceiling yet,” Markkanen said after the deal was announced. “… The last couple years have been mentally pretty tough. I’ve grown as a person because of that, so I wouldn’t change it. I’ve learned a lot. But I just felt like I need to get back to the old me and how I know I can play the game. I think this is a good opportunity for me to do that.
“I’m happy. I’m really excited and looking forward. We kind of felt like I needed a fresh start. And I appreciate all the people who were involved to help facilitate it and make it happen.”
Markkanen once appeared to part of the foundation for a rebuilding Bulls team. He was included in the return when Chicago traded Jimmy Butler to Minnesota, and he earned first-team All-Rookie honors in 2018 after averaging 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. However, his next three seasons were filled with injuries that limited him to 52, 50 and 51 games.
Markkanen, who turned down an extension offer before the season began, ended his stay in Chicago coming off the bench regularly for the first time in his career. After the Bulls acquired centers Nikola Vučević and Daniel Theis at the trade deadline, coach Billy Donovan opted for a bigger, more rugged starting lineup.
“I think obviously I’m most disappointed we didn’t make the postseason one time when I was there. We tried our best obviously. That’s what we’re paid to do. It didn’t work out,” Markkanen said. “I think I had good moments as a player, and I had some inconsistencies. But I’m looking ahead.”
Markkanen is entering another rebuilding situation with the Cavaliers, who went 22-50 last season and landed the third overall pick in the draft. At age 24, he will be one of the more experienced players in an organization filled with young talent. Markkanen will likely move back into a starting role in Cleveland, and he believes he’s joining the franchise at a good time.
“I think I fit in well — young core, exciting point guards. I’m looking forward to playing with those big guys in the frontcourt. They’re all young, talented guys. I think we can grow together,” Markkanen said. “And I can’t wait to learn from a player like Kevin Love. Just learn aspects of the game from him and the mentality of the game, how he approaches it. I’m looking forward to that as well.”
Said nobody in the history of sports…until now…
He is just glad to get out of Chicago, can’t really blame him for that.
The Bulls have only gotten to the ECF one time since Jordan left in ’98.
Sit this one out chief. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Haha “what’s so great about cleveland? I’ve never heard anyone say they went on vacation to cleveland”
Important comment. Thank you for your opinion. #sarcasm
Apropos. Bravo.
I’ll never forget Joakim Noah’s famous quote, during his end of their playoff game interview, “No one has ever said I want to go to Cleveland for vacation..”
While his statement was factually incorrect, because my ex was from Cleveland and wanted to visit her family for vacation a couple times lol, it was still pretty hilarious!!
For some reason Noah was never considered for a bail-out trade in the manner of Markkanen— and if I recall he needed one a couple years after the big Nix contract… some team to want him even though he was as almost as good as ever. His good PER for his last decent stay, 19 for MEM, in 693 minutes at 33yo in 2019, was followed by nothing but stretch payments. He had only gotten to PER21 to make allstar several years earlier.
Nevermind Cleveland execs who might like to sell tickets and a positive attitude… what would he say about any other city?— He seems to have high standards for cities and low standards for discretion.
Two years ago
Wolves traded Zack LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Dunn to Bulls for Butler.
…..Butler for Saric and Covington …
….Then Wolves trade Saric and Cam Johnson for Culver
Final result
Zach LaVine and Lauri for Old man Beverley
If Wolves don’t make that trade,
Starters
Russell, LaVine and Edwards
Towns and Lauri
Young and playoffs team
Except… they don’t get Edwards or Russell without that trade. A butterfly flaps it’s wings, etc.
This explains the Wolves in a nutshell.
We got guys debating about Minny, Clev, and the Bulls. Each team has been dumpster fires for so long that it doesn’t matter about prospects like Mobely, Patrick Williams and Edwards. Your ownership/MGT will screw it up and the cycle repeats. Markkanen should not be chasing the money with Clev, he’ll be in Europe in 2 yrs time.
So the Cavs draft a maybe generational talent in Mobley then immediately block his path to 30 mpg? God I hate that team, should have been contracted after Bron for LA lol
Not only Markkanen but Mobley still has Love as a malcontent to role model from. Wash rinse repeat.
not like cavs are competing anyways. love’s contract could be easier to get rid of next season. they should just tank lol imagine if they get Emoni Bates
Bates/Mobley/Lauri/Allen would be a solid young core
@Marty
Mobley can still get 30 sharing time at both PF/SF. If need be, I seriously doubt Markkanen will block Mobley in time if he shows he’s ready.
Markkanen/Mobley will be a super exciting starting duo for CLE come opening night, really looking up things in CLE when you add Sexton to it… maybe if they can get something from Garland, Okoro, Osman & Allen they can really surprise a few folks!
There’s no rush to play Mobley. No 19 yr old is ready to start, very few are. He will be a Center when he’s grown. Allen will be shopped it could be next yr or in two yrs. Mobley, Markkanen, Okoro looks like the front line of the future. That looks good to me.
2017-18 Rookie yr ——- 20 yrs old
68 gms, 29.7 mins, .434% FG, .362% 3PT, .843% FT, 7.5 reb, 15.2 pts.
2018-19 Year two —— 21 yrs old
52 gms, 32.3 mins, .430% FG, .361% 3PT, .872% FT, 9.0 reb, 18.7 pts
If Mobley puts up these numbers his first two yrs. They will build a statue of him. Yet Bulls let this walk.
2019-20 Year three —— 22 yrs old
50 gms, 29.8 mins, .425% FG, .344% 3PT, .824% FT, 6.3 reb, 14.7 pts
The year they start jerking him. All players can get better at D. Especially young players.
2020-21 Year four —— 23 yrs old
51 gms, 25.8 mins, .480%FG, .402% 3PT, .826% FT, 5.3 reb, 13.6 pts.
Markkanen is a stretch four. The man can flat out shoot. He was also a good rebounder. Needed to play better D. But Bulls insecurities and not developing players. Scared Zach would walk. Made them go different ways. Markkanen will make them regret them trading him. Imo he’s got a bright a future. And if you knew you didn’t want him. You should of moved him last yr. And you would of got more value. I think they panicked and tried to retool team so Zach wouldn’t leave. Well we’ll see if it was worth it.
Lol. A know it all who doesn’t know squat.
Another Brilliant response to Real facts. And opinions based on facts. I know you don’t got GAME.
Kevin Love it’s LA time either team would love a UCLA boy