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Lauri Markkanen Swot Analysis

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NBA Draft Profile: Lauri Markkanen, PF, Arizona Key Stats: 15.6 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 0.9 APG Measurables: 7’0 , 230 pounds Strengths: Lauri Markkanen is the epitome of today’s NBA, he is your prototypical stretch four with some impressive guard skills that should make for an intriguing prospect. The appeal for Markkanen starts with his shooting, in his lone season at Arizona he shot an impressive 42% from the three point line on 4.4 attempts per game, that combined with his 54% conversion rate inside the three point line and you have a guy that has the potential to be an offensive superstar. At Arizona he showed an impressive handle from the four spot and even at times played pick and roll within in the system and coming off of pin down screens …show more content…

Teams drafting Lauri Markkanen in the lottery are not drafting him to be an anchor of their defense. He struggles mightily to guard pick and roll ball handlers which is surprising for a forward with his mobility and skillset. In order for him to succeed in a team’s frontcourt he has to be surrounded with competent rebounders, last year he had a 14% true rebounding percentage which is not good for a 7’0 forward playing close to 30 minutes a game. The only reason Arizona was one of the top rebounding and defensive teams in the nation was because of their guards, who were really good rebounders at their position. At the next level Lauri Markkanen has to get better and tougher on that side of the ball especially playing the four spot where they are going to run a lot of spread pick and rolls and try to attack him off the bounce. At the next level it is a must that he develops a certain level of toughness, he doesn’t have to be a defensive stopper but he at least has to be competent enough to execute the schemes his team wants to …show more content…

He probably won’t fall this low but Miami is the best team fit for Lauri, with Hassan Whiteside grabbing every rebound you could hide him on the glass, and they have a plethora of guards and forwards who can hide him defensively. A more realistic team, however, are the Kings and Hornets both teams need scoring badly and Markkanen would be just what the doctor ordered. For the Kings he would give them an offensive star to build around, and for the Hornets he will give Kemba Walker a pick and roll partner that could finally give him adequate space to create offense for that

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