Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen recently sat down for an interview with Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. The Q&A session covered his self belief, his stints in Chicago and Cleveland, Utah’s future, and several other topics.
Markkanen, who plans to compete for Finland’s national team at the World Cup this summer, said he’d be thrilled if he’s named the NBA’s Most Improved Player in 2022/23, according to Scotto.
“I think it would be great,” Markkanen said. “With the regular season about to end and I start hearing that stuff, it would be a pretty cool trophy to have at home. I take a lot of pride in the hard work and, like becoming an All-Star, knowing what I’ve gone through and being able to bounce back from that would mean a lot for me. Hopefully, I get it done. It would be pretty cool.”
Here’s more on the Jazz:
- Veteran big man Kelly Olynyk acknowledges he heard the trade rumor of the Celtics being interested in his services. However, he says he’s happy with the Jazz and he has no plans to ask out in the offseason, he tells Steve Bulpett of Heavy.com. “I mean, I love Boston,” said Olynyk, who spent his first four seasons with the Celtics. “I grew up in Boston basically, coming out of college and starting my professional career. I have nothing but great things to say about the city, the organization, everybody involved. It feels like home every time I come back. When you see those kind of rumors, it brings up great memories. It’s a city that has unbelievable people, fans, culture, all that. So you always think, ‘What if? Maybe it could happen.’ But you obviously have to focus on the now and what you’re doing. I’m definitely not trying to get out of anywhere. This is a great situation to be a part of with this team, but your mind can’t help but wander for a second when you hear about things.”
- Collin Sexton had a solid showing in his first game back from a nagging hamstring injury, recording 15 points and three assists in 16 minutes in the Jazz’s loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. “It feels like he is just all competitiveness. He gives our team such a lift energy-wise. It is infectious, contagious, however you want to describe it,” head coach Will Hardy said, per Eric Walden of The Salt Lake Tribune. “The guys love how he plays. … It’s the same Collin that we all know, and it’s the same Collin that we’ve missed for the last 18 games. So it was great to see him out there.”
- Sarah Todd of The Deseret News examines the pros and cons of Talen Horton-Tucker‘s game and wonders if he’ll be in the team’s long-term plans. Still just 22 years old, the fourth-year guard continues to show flashes of intrigue, but he’s also inconsistent and doesn’t shoot well from behind the arc (28.6% on threes). Todd thinks it’s very likely that Horton-Tucker will pick up his $11MM player option for 2023/24.
THT will be traded this offseaon.
His game is wild, and inconsistent at best. I think he will hang on as a vet in the league, but he needs to improve if he’s going to play a major role on a team moving forward
If you look at the last 10 games or so, he’s getting much more consistent. He just needed consistent playing time. With all the Jazz injuries, he’s gotten more regular playing time, and it has showed dividends already.
Wild indeed
Jazz have so much young talent they need to go all in on J.Brown or Lillard … By the way Samanic is for real
Samanic always had some good post moves, and a perimeter shot.
Tore up the combine a few years back. I expected him on a full roster contract last season.
I saw him play in Maine a few times. He’s definitely skilled enough to be in the league.
I hope markkanen wins. He seems like a guy who especially thrives on confidence and I want to see him come back even better next year.
Lauri only needed time. He has always shown he has a high ceiling, potentially. A 19 yr old needs time and schooling. Plus yrs to grow into his Manhood. Just crazy how NBA gets them younger. But don’t take the time THEY need to develop them.
Lauri has shown flashes. Now at 25 in his sixth yr in the L. He is playing like an all star. Not just a starter an all star.
Part of that is how he was used before vs now. He also has mentioned that he got a lot stronger vs then.