Lauri Markkanen, also known as “The Finnisher,” was first drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the seventh overall pick in 2017. He was then traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Justin Patton and Jimmy Butler.
Markkanen started his basketball career in his home country Finland, and later shifted to the USA to develop his skills further. He played one season of college basketball for the University of Arizona, where he averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 37 games for the Wildcats. He shot 42.3% from 3-point range in college.
In 66 games in the 2022/23 NBA season, the one-time All-Star played 66 games, and averaged 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game. He shot 49.9% from the field, including 39.1% from deep.
Lauri Markkanen Team
Lauri Markkanen is currently in his second season with the Utah Jazz. He joined the team after he was traded by the Cleveland Cavaliers on September 3, 2022, in a deal involving superstar Donovan Mitchell. In 12 games so far in the 2023/24 season, Markkanen is averaging 23.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game.
Lauri Markkanen Position
Lauri Markkanen plays as a power forward. However, he can also play at the small forward spot. At 7 feet tall, Markkanen is an excellent shooter for his size who can also finish strongly around the rim.
Lauri Markkanen Previous NBA Teams
Lauri Markkanen has played for the following teams so far in his NBA career:
Chicago Bulls (2017-2021)
Lauri Markkanen made his NBA debut with the Bulls in the 2017/18 season. In his rookie season, his performances led him to be included in the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
During the 2020/21 season opener, Markkanen scored a career high 35 points, which was the most post points scored by a Chicago Bulls player since Michael Jordan in 1995. Throughout four seasons and 221 games with the team, he averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He shot 44.0% from the field, including 36.6% from deep. On August 28, 2021, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three team trade in return for Derrick Jones Jr., a 2022 first round pick and a 2023 first round pick.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2021-2022)
Lauri Markkanen played only one season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He played 61 games and averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. He shot 44.5% from the field, including 35.8% from deep. He was traded to the Utah Jazz on September 3, 2022.
FAQs
A. Born in Vantaa, Finland on May 22, 1997, Lauri Markkanen is 26 years old as of November 2023.
A. Lauri Markkanen has played for three NBA teams in his career so far.
A. Lauri Markkanen’s height is 7’0” and his weight is 108 kg (240 lbs).
A. Lauri Markkanen’s nickname is “The Finnisher.”
A. In the 2022/23 season, Lauri Markkanen averaged 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in 66 games.
