Lauri Markkanen is the last big domino to fall in this year’s free agency. Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Cleveland is receiving Lauri Markkanen in a sign-and-trade from Chicago. In addition, the Bulls are receiving Derrick Jones Jr., Portland’s lottery-protected 2022 pick, and a 2023 second-round pick via Denver to Chicago. Finally, the Trailblazers receive Larry Nance Jr to round out the deal.
Cavaliers’ side of the deal
This trade is confounding for the Cavaliers. They are moving on from Larry Nance Jr., who’s on a cheaper deal and is arguably the better player over Markkanen. Nance is a better defender, connector piece, and roller than Markkanen. Markkanen’s only clear leg up on Nance is his shooting gravity and movement shots from the perimeter. Even then, Nance is a solid standstill shooter (36% on three attempts per game as a four, five-man).
Add Nance’s superior skill set to the fact that he’s being paid LESS than Markkanen’s new deal. Markkanen is signing a four-year, $67 million agreement, whereas Nance is on a two-year deal paying him $9-10 million a year that’s frontloaded. That’s a fantastic value contract, and the Cavs are replacing him with an unfavorable value contract and a worse player.
The Cavaliers have the Markkanen deal on top of the Jarrett Allen five-year, $100 million contracts. They just drafted Evan Mobley, who could play either the four or five spot this upcoming year. Now, they have long-term money tied up ahead of their number three overall pick. With the amount Allen and Markkanen are being paid, they will get playing time ahead of Mobley. He might not be ready yet due to his lack of strength, but the Cavs aren’t in contention for anything at least for two seasons.
Moving Nance was somewhat expected with the Cavalier’s logjam in the frontcourt. He would provide a lot for a contending team like Portland. The issue is the Cavaliers acquired a player that has less positional versatility than Nance and once again clogs up the four, five spots. Kevin Love isn’t a long-term piece for the Cavs, but he can space the floor well and rebound. Dean Wade can shoot it a bit and played well last year. He’s a more capable defender than Markkanen and can put the ball on the floor. His upside isn’t as high, but he plays his role.
Lauri Markkanen does provide superior spacing, but Chicago ran into the issue where teams would put smaller players on him since he couldn’t take advantage of matchups in the post. Teams will be able to play better offensive lineups without facing defensive repercussions. Is Markkanen going to get that much better to justify this deal in Cleveland? It’s a flyer the Cavs can take, but they already have guys at his position.
Trailblazers’ side of the deal
The Blazers acquired Nance for a lottery-protected pick in 2022 and a second-round pick. It’s not a substantial cost for a solid player. The Blazers won all of their first-round picks going forward besides this one as well. Olshey is prioritizing keeping first-round picks, especially for a team trying to win, possibly to the dismay of Damian Lillard. Credit to Olshey for moving a pick with lottery protection for a player that can help them now.
Nance gives the Blazers some size at the four and maybe even three at times, which they lack outside of Robert Covington. He also moves the ball well and can hit shots. In addition, Nance provides similar elite athleticism to Derrick Jones Jr., where he can finish way above the rim. He’s a definite upgrade on a reasonable contract over the next two years.
He’s a great positional defender and can use his strength to match up against bigger wings. In addition, he will help shore up the Blazers’ second-unit defense, which was terrible last season with Carmelo Anthony and Enes Kanter. Now they have Nance Jr. and Cody Zeller. Nasir Little also has a better path to playing time. The coaching staff sent him home from Summer League before the game after they determined there was “No need,” which is a great sign he’s going to take a leap this year.
The Blazers rotation is looking solid. Lillard, CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, Covington, Jusuf Nurkic are the starters, with Anfernee Simons, Tony Snell, Little, Nance, and Zeller coming off the bench. They probably move from a low playoff seed to a four, five seed just by their defensive improvements in the second unit.
Bulls’ side of the deal
The Bulls receive Derrick Jones Jr., a first, and second-round pick from the Blazers. He’s an excellent fit next to Vuecivic with his ability to roll and catch lobs with Vuecivic spacing. As an off-ball player, he will have room to cut to the basket and finish over guys since bigs will be drawn out to Vuecivic. The Bulls needed some fours as well, and Jones fits that positionally.
This team is going to be fun in transition, with Lonzo Ball pushing the break. They have athletes to run the lanes and finish in Zach Lavine, DeMar Derozen, Patrick Williams, and now Jones Jr.
He isn’t a shooter and fell out of the Bulls rotation, but they received two picks if it doesn’t work out. In addition, the Bulls have the personnel that allows Jones to be more of a cutter and finish lobs.
He’s a solid pickup for the Bulls, who might surprise the league this year.
The Bulls and Blazers got better to different extents in this three-way trade. The Cavs take a risk in Lauri Markkanen, who plays a position similar to Evan Mobley, but he does provide better shooting in the frontcourt to pair with Darius Garland and Collin Sexton.
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