The J-Notes
Fansided

Ranking the 9 players Utah traded for this summer

By Jonah Kubicek

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Royce O'Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 17: Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket against Royce O'Neale #23 of the Utah Jazz during the third quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 17, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 12: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers lunges for a loose ball under pressure from Mike Conley #11 during the first half of their game January 12, 2022 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – JANUARY 12: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers lunges for a loose ball under pressure from Mike Conley #11 during the first half of their game January 12, 2022 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /

#2: Lauri Markkanen

After a hot first two years in Chicago, Lauri Markkanen has regressed a little bit but is still a very solid starter and the perfect modern power forward. He can grab rebounds, averaging 6.8 over his career, put the ball on the floor, and he has shot 40% from deep. He is only an average defender, but I would hardly call him a liability of defense.

Markkanen is a true three-level scorer who can drive to the hoop, catch and shoot from deep, and use his seven-foot advantage to post up. One of the best pure offensive weapons in the game, Markkanen can shine as a corner three specialist, work as the third option, and occasionally be the best player on the court.

Oh, and he’s also lighting it up this summer in international play. The best Finnish baller ever, Markkanen could be a fringe All-Star for the next several years and is a great secondary scorer on a good team. A knockdown shooter, his game doesn’t really have any flaws, and he could even be due for a resurgence and enter the 20ppg club anytime soon.

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