New Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen spoke with Eric Walden of the Salt Lake Tribune (subscriber exclusive) in a wide-ranging conversation.
The 25-year-old has had a busy summer. In addition to being one of the centerpieces in the deal that saw the Jazz shipping All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers, Markkanen also starred for his native Finland in Berlin for this year’s EuroBasket, racking up the second-highest scoring average in the tournament. The team ultimately fell in the quarterfinals.
This is the second consecutive offseason relocation Markkanen has undergone during his burgeoning pro career. In the summer of 2021, he joined Cleveland in a sign-and-trade deal, inking a four-year, $67.5MM contract. During his lone season with the 44-38 Cavaliers, the seven-footer, traditionally a power forward, started as the team’s small forward for the first time in his NBA career. In 61 games, all starts, he averaged 14.8 PPG on .445/.358/.868 shooting splits, 5.7 RPG, and 1.3 APG.
Walden’s interview is worth reading in full, but here are some select highlights from the conversation:
On Markkanen’s reaction to the trade:
“It was kind of a shock. I didn’t hear anything before, I didn’t see my name in any rumors… It was emotional. I understand the business side of it, so I’ve got no hard feelings. I thanked them for the opportunity that I had. But the first moments were really emotional for me, because we really liked Cleveland, and thought we’d found a home there.”
On playing for his homeland in this summer’s EuroBasket competition:
“[Finland’s standing among its EuroBasket rivals is] still a work in progress. But [rewind] to, like, [11] years ago when they made EuroBasket for the first time in a while at that point — it’s been on the rise since… They were part of the World Cup in [2015]. It’s been going up for a while. I’m happy to be a part of it, and I understand the history. … I’m trying to take this thing even further.”
On how close he came to attending the University of Utah as a college prospect in 2016:
“Utah was my first visit. I was on the visit with my dad, and I remember joking to him, ‘Do I have to go to the other two places? Because I feel comfortable there.’ I was pretty confident that I’m gonna go to Utah… But then we cleared our minds and took the other two visits. And my gut feeling [was strong] when I got to Arizona.”
Wonder where he’ll be after the trade deadline
Utah. No one is going to help the Jazz. No first round picks means no deals for Danny.
Playing with the Cavs helped revived his career. They gave him the confidence to just be himself. He will do well with the Jazz.
Would be an upgrade over Birch and Young in T.O.
Certainly Birch. Young probably provides better D and screen options.
2023 first, Birch and Flyyn. ??
Does that work Salary wise? If not Boucher Birch Flynn plus first and 2nd?
I dunno basketball enough to know if this is a good trade for the Jazz, I just care for Toronto and see the potential upgrade over Birch and Boucher, have basically given up on Flynn (despite his 70 pt rec game summer league stats)
We drafted Peortel(spelling) and Markannen(spelling) seems to be the better higher upside player at a position of need ( 3pt and 7 foot player)
Chat…am I wrong?
Poeltl is a much better defender than Markkanen. And he’s got one of the highest assist rates among all centers. Lauri is probably a better finisher, but I’d take Poeltl as the starting C over him. Lauri is more versatile, though, so it’s a toss-up.
Lauri isn’t a center. He can play center but he plays more like KD than Poeltl. KD can play center but nobody calls him a center. I think the Jazz would be wise to use Lauri on the perimeter, but not stuck there. Start outside, where he can be more creative, but give him the room to operate, like his national team did.
Hope it works out for him. I think his destiny is a sixth man big type role like Kevin Love
Lauri still has time to make his impact. As a solid stretch 4. Just not sure Utah is the place. Agbaji n Lauri are solid pieces to build on. Sexton can still bring back value in a trade. Just can’t see Utah being bottom 5. If they all play major mins. I have to believe the draft is what blowing up the Jazz is all about. I guess we’ll see.
It’s funny because Ainge said they’re “starting over.”. However, they still have a mix of vets and young guys, like a playoff team would have. The only way to know for sure is who starts and who gets the most minutes?
@Knick
Or you can enjoy watching Sexton and Markkanen put up 40 to 50 points per game next year. Are you THAT against Sexton as a player or you just want to see Utah talk as best as possible?
tank
After trading Gobert and Mitchell, they should be doing everything in their power to get Victor or Scoot in the draft.