The Cavaliers lavished Lauri Markkanen with a four-year, $67MM contract in a sign-and-trade with the Bulls and they have big plans for him offensively, as Chris Fedor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer details. Markkanen won’t just be firing 3-pointers — he’ll have the ball in his hands often on post and elbow isolations and his new team wants to showcase his playmaking ability.
“He is a dynamic offensive player, and we want him to show his whole skill set,” Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
We have more from the Central Division:
- Pacers coach Rick Carlisle says the roster was built to enhance his desire for an improved defensive mindset, according to Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Files. “Guys that we brought in on two-ways and Exhibit 10s also are tough-minded, defensive-oriented guys,” he said. “Hard play is such an important part of success in our league. I think everybody knows that, but we’ve really gone that direction with guys that we’ve brought in.”
- Coby White may have the talent to be a starting point guard in the league but it won’t happen with the Bulls, Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic opines in his latest mailbag post. The commitments to Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso greatly diminish White’s chances of remaining with the franchise long-term. Mayberry takes on a number of topics, including his skepticism regarding the franchise’s desire to retain Zach LaVine for the long haul.
- Pistons coach Dwane Casey wants to push the pace but not at the expense of high turnover numbers, Keith Langlois of Pistons.com writes. It will be a challenge, considering that young guards in Cade Cunningham and Killian Hayes will frequently be running the offense. One of the solutions is to cut down on the number of times his wings attempt one-man fast breaks.
Ok I was very skeptical about the Markkanen trade at first, but the Cavs live streamed their first public scrimmage and let me tell you he was balling. Had 14 points in 6ish minutes, 4 of 5 from three and was on fire. Hopefully he keeps it up and proves me and other Cavs fans wrong about the Nance trade.
I could see how the mess that is(or was) the Bulls or he organization didn’t do Markkanen any good. I’m sure he’s a lot better than he showed there.
I think a lot of the optimism surrounding the Bulls is premature.
It’s far too early to take a wait and see attitude.
I mean is a no brainer, at least to me, I rather have Markkanen like a million times instead of Nance, I mean Lauri has superstar potential meanwhile Nance has role player potential, not even starter… you can’t really compare, right?
That was a steal from CLE, cheap contract & weakened a division rival considerably, it makes CHI look quite silly… well now that ain’t particularly surprising, right?
Just wait until the season starts. Lauri won’t live up to what you think he can be. Maybe a change of scenery does him well, but the Bulls needed to move on for sure.
You guys are cracking me up, if (it’s a big if) Lauri is healthy he can shoot the ball while stinking it up on defense. Seriously though nothing like Cavs fans calling out the Bulls
@animated
Take away Jordan and LBJ and neither organization has much to brag about homie.
If ya take away the 2goats, Cavs probably have abit more to brag about with the mid 70s teams and late 80s early 90s teams, although the early 80s Ted Stepien teams were devastatingly dreadful. Bulls can brag on Artis Gilmore and DRose though. Still I’ll give it to Cavs.
He’s godlike in scrimmages.
Hawks trade idea
Reddish for Coby White
Hawks need back up pg.
White is not a true PG but more of a sixth man that is built to be a scoring guard instead.
Truthfully the Bulls need to have White rotate in as LaVine replacement in games and forget about him ( White ) as a PG and if and when White proves healthy and shows what he truly is then trade him for a bench piece and picks or pick.
If you’re a Cleveland fan this picture can’t make you excited about this guy
Probably a Finnish interpretation of an American.
I mean all the hype surrounding Lauri was during his rookie season, where he was deployed as somewhat of a point-centre. If he can have a similar role he may well be able to rebuild his stock.
Lauri averaged 19 and 9 in his second season and shot 40 percent from 3 last year. There’s a lot to like there.
He’s soft like brie.
I like Brie…
If Coby White can be a starting PG in this league he has not showed it.
Otherwise the bulls would not have been searching for PG past couple years and got Lonzo.
He has never showed he can be that.
He’s probably better as a 6th man type of player who can just go out and score while starters sit.