NBA Draft experts say former Arizona Wildcat Lauri Markkanen could be a game-changer
- Updated
Former Arizona Wildcats star Lauri Markkanen is a projected lottery pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft. Here's what the experts are saying about him.
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Former Arizona Wildcats star Lauri Markkanen, the 7-foot Finnish phenom, will likely be a lottery pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft.
The sharpshooter averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a freshman at Arizona. He shot 49.2 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc as the Wildcats advanced to the Sweet 16.
There's been a buzz around Markkanen since he enrolled at the UA last fall, but the hype has picked up as the NBA Draft nears.
Here's what NBA experts have to say about the former Wildcat:
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: Draft Express
Experts: Mike Schmitz, Matt Kamalsky
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
They said it: "Among the most efficient offensive players in the country last season, despite a February shooting slump, Arizona power forward Lauri Markkanen had an outstanding freshman season. ... Markkanen was critical to the Wildcats' run to the Sweet 16, and earned All-Pac 12 First Team honors while scoring 15.6 points per game on 42% shooting from beyond the arc, solidifying himself as a likely top-ten 2017 NBA Draft pick in the process.
"Markkanen's intrigue as a prospect isn't difficult to see on first glance. Looking every bit of his listed 7'0-230 pounds, he has great size for a power forward. A fluid, coordinated athlete who lacks a degree of explosiveness, length, and physical strength, despite his improved, muscular frame, the 19 year old forward will need to continue to get stronger, but has a nice mix of tools to complement his advanced skill set his on the offensive end.
"Its Markkanen's tremendous offensive ability at 7-feet tall that makes him such an interesting prospect. A versatile jump shooter, the freshman did the majority of his scoring in spot up and pick and pop situations, but also used his athleticism to attack closeouts, score on put backs, flashed face-up ability in the midrange, made shots off the dribble at a nice rate, and was even utilized off ball screens."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: ESPN.com
Expert: Chad Ford
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
He said it: "We've been back and forth between (Jonathan) Isaac and Markkanen here for several mock drafts.
"Both are excellent fits for the Wolves, who are looking for a stretch-4. Isaac would offer more upside. Markkanen is more ready now and a more proven shooter.
"With Isaac off the board, this looks like Markkanen's spot."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: ESPN.com
Expert: Chad Ford
He said it: "Markannen is probably a better shooter and athlete than (Kelly) Olynyk, but the draft is so crowded at the top that the Wolves and Mavs appear to be the only teams that would pick him in the top 10."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: ESPN.com
Expert: Chad Ford
He said it: "Markkanen is a prototypical NBA stretch-4 with great size, agility and shooting touch for the position. His play in the paint is still a work in progress, and he needs to continue to add strength, but he's the top-ranked power forward in our Top 100 and should get drafted in the No. 5 to No. 10 range."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: NBA.com
Expert: Scott Howard-Cooper
Projected to go: No. 10 overall to the Sacramento Kings
He said it: "The agile, fluid 7-footer is the latest European stretch four bound for the lottery, following Kristaps Porzingis and Dragan Bender. Markkanen, from Finland, will beat defenders down court on the break or pick them apart in half court with range that resulted in making 42.3 percent of his threes while attempting 4.4 per game. In a draft heavy with point guards, he is a big who stands out."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: NBA.com
Expert: David Aldridge
He said it: "It would be grossly unfair and incorrect to compare Arizona freshman Lauri Markkanen to the New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis because they share some physical characteristics. The 7-footer from Jyvaskyla, Finland is not “The Unicorn” yet, and he may never be. But he is the best power forward prospect in this Draft, with shooting ability that is rare in anyone his size. ...
"Markkanen is a classic modern stretch four. The ball comes out of his hand easily no matter the distance, and he’s comfortable along all parts of the college 3-point line. ... At 230 pounds, he’s also capable of handling at least some banging in the paint without wilting, and he shoots it exceptionally well from the foul line as well (83.5 percent). His skill set, and work ethic ... makes him a talent who won’t get out of the Lottery."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: Sports Illustrated
Expert: Andrew Sharp
Projected to go: No. 10 overall to the Sacramento Kings
He said it: "It's a risk for a team to bet its only lottery pick on Lauri Markkanen's future. He's a year or two away from being strong enough to play consistent minutes at the next level, his defense is a question mark, and his scoring off the dribble is a work in progress. There are too many unknowns to justify taking him in a lottery that's full of talent everywhere else. Still, he's such a good shooter at seven-feet tall that he could be unguardable if he gets more comfortable a few years down the line. All of which is to say: I understand other teams passing. But it'd be a home run if the Kings can grab a rookie like Fox and take a flier on Markkanen as either a) Ryan Anderson off the bench, or b) something much scarier in four years, particularly with Dave Joerger around to coach him on defense."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: The Undefeated
Expert: Marc J. Spears
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
He said it: "Word is Markkanen would love to go to the Wolves to join forces with fellow 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns. But keep an eye on North Carolina State guard Dennis Smith here too."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: BleacherReport.com
Expert: Jonathan Wasserman
Projected to go: No. 13 overall to the Denver Nuggets
He said it: "The Denver Nuggets bring in Lauri Markkanen to score and shoot alongside Nikola Jokic.
"That's Markkanen's calling card in the pros. He doesn't offer much rim protection or a physical presence inside, but his perimeter shot-creating and shot-making skills are highly advanced, particularly for a 7-footer.
"He hasn't worked out for Denver, though it shouldn't matter, assuming the Nuggets' scouting department did its homework. Without any medical or character red flags and a game Denver's lineup could use, Markkanen makes enough sense with Danilo Gallinari opting out."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: BleacherReport.com
Expert: Maurice Moton
Projected to go: No. 10 overall to the Sacramento Kings
He said it: "Lauri Markkanen projects as a stretch 4, who complements a defensive-minded center with paint-restricted scoring ability. The Arizona product alongside Willie Cauley-Stein fits the bill.
"Markkanen has a smooth stroke from beyond the arc that will attract suitors selecting before the Kings at No. 10. Nonetheless, if he falls due to all the talent at guard, Sacramento would pick up a quality shooter at power forward.
"The 7-footer won't log many double-doubles due to his struggles rebounding in the paint, but he's a marksman with space to pull up, and his size allows him to fire away with a hand in his face. Markkanen can also put the ball on the floor when he drives to the left."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: BleacherReport.com
Expert: Chris Roling
Projected to go: No. 12 overall to Detroit Pistons
He said it: "Lauri Markkanen ... has the talent to make many franchises who pass on him smack their heads in hindsight. Markkanen is a sharpshooter who stands at a gigantic 7'0" and 230 pounds. He's not a traditional big man who will bang down low while protecting the rim and gobbling up boards on the glass—but it's not like those sorts of big men are the norm anymore.
"Collegiate numbers sum this up well. In his lone season at Arizona, Markkanen averaged 15.6 points per game on 49.2 percent shooting from the floor and 42.3 percent from deep. But he only managed 7.2 boards and 0.5 blocks per game despite standing 7'0" tall. ..."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: SB Nation
Expert: Ricky O'Donnell
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
He said it: "Markkanen is an elite shooter at 7-feet tall with an ultra quick release. That should help open up driving lanes for Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and even Karl-Anthony Towns. Think of him as a bigger Ryan Anderson. He’ll need to add strength and improve defensively."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
- Updated
Outlet: TheRinger.com
Expert: Jonathan Tjarks
He said it: "Markkanen shoots better than all of the top guards in this year’s draft, despite being well over half a foot taller than any of them. ... At 7 feet tall and 225 pounds, Markkanen has a high release point and an effortless stroke, which allows him to get his shot off quickly. He can shoot from anywhere, and he should have no trouble immediately extending his range behind the deeper NBA 3-point line. ...
"If Markkanen isn’t going to offer much on defense and the glass, the only way for him to start on a good NBA team is to make him a primary option on offense. The good news on that front is that he’s much more than a shooting specialist, even though that was the primary way he was used at Arizona. According to the tracking numbers at Synergy Sports, Markkanen was an elite roll man (81st percentile among NCAA players), post player (94th percentile), and isolation scorer (91st percentile). He became more comfortable putting the ball on the floor as the season went on, and if he can consistently take two dribbles and rise up for a shot on the move, he will be almost unguardable."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Former Arizona Wildcats star Lauri Markkanen, the 7-foot Finnish phenom, will likely be a lottery pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft.
The sharpshooter averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds per game as a freshman at Arizona. He shot 49.2 percent from the field and 42.3 percent from beyond the arc as the Wildcats advanced to the Sweet 16.
There's been a buzz around Markkanen since he enrolled at the UA last fall, but the hype has picked up as the NBA Draft nears.
Here's what NBA experts have to say about the former Wildcat:
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: Draft Express
Experts: Mike Schmitz, Matt Kamalsky
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
They said it: "Among the most efficient offensive players in the country last season, despite a February shooting slump, Arizona power forward Lauri Markkanen had an outstanding freshman season. ... Markkanen was critical to the Wildcats' run to the Sweet 16, and earned All-Pac 12 First Team honors while scoring 15.6 points per game on 42% shooting from beyond the arc, solidifying himself as a likely top-ten 2017 NBA Draft pick in the process.
"Markkanen's intrigue as a prospect isn't difficult to see on first glance. Looking every bit of his listed 7'0-230 pounds, he has great size for a power forward. A fluid, coordinated athlete who lacks a degree of explosiveness, length, and physical strength, despite his improved, muscular frame, the 19 year old forward will need to continue to get stronger, but has a nice mix of tools to complement his advanced skill set his on the offensive end.
"Its Markkanen's tremendous offensive ability at 7-feet tall that makes him such an interesting prospect. A versatile jump shooter, the freshman did the majority of his scoring in spot up and pick and pop situations, but also used his athleticism to attack closeouts, score on put backs, flashed face-up ability in the midrange, made shots off the dribble at a nice rate, and was even utilized off ball screens."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: ESPN.com
Expert: Chad Ford
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
He said it: "We've been back and forth between (Jonathan) Isaac and Markkanen here for several mock drafts.
"Both are excellent fits for the Wolves, who are looking for a stretch-4. Isaac would offer more upside. Markkanen is more ready now and a more proven shooter.
"With Isaac off the board, this looks like Markkanen's spot."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: ESPN.com
Expert: Chad Ford
He said it: "Markannen is probably a better shooter and athlete than (Kelly) Olynyk, but the draft is so crowded at the top that the Wolves and Mavs appear to be the only teams that would pick him in the top 10."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: ESPN.com
Expert: Chad Ford
He said it: "Markkanen is a prototypical NBA stretch-4 with great size, agility and shooting touch for the position. His play in the paint is still a work in progress, and he needs to continue to add strength, but he's the top-ranked power forward in our Top 100 and should get drafted in the No. 5 to No. 10 range."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: NBA.com
Expert: Scott Howard-Cooper
Projected to go: No. 10 overall to the Sacramento Kings
He said it: "The agile, fluid 7-footer is the latest European stretch four bound for the lottery, following Kristaps Porzingis and Dragan Bender. Markkanen, from Finland, will beat defenders down court on the break or pick them apart in half court with range that resulted in making 42.3 percent of his threes while attempting 4.4 per game. In a draft heavy with point guards, he is a big who stands out."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: NBA.com
Expert: David Aldridge
He said it: "It would be grossly unfair and incorrect to compare Arizona freshman Lauri Markkanen to the New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis because they share some physical characteristics. The 7-footer from Jyvaskyla, Finland is not “The Unicorn” yet, and he may never be. But he is the best power forward prospect in this Draft, with shooting ability that is rare in anyone his size. ...
"Markkanen is a classic modern stretch four. The ball comes out of his hand easily no matter the distance, and he’s comfortable along all parts of the college 3-point line. ... At 230 pounds, he’s also capable of handling at least some banging in the paint without wilting, and he shoots it exceptionally well from the foul line as well (83.5 percent). His skill set, and work ethic ... makes him a talent who won’t get out of the Lottery."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: Sports Illustrated
Expert: Andrew Sharp
Projected to go: No. 10 overall to the Sacramento Kings
He said it: "It's a risk for a team to bet its only lottery pick on Lauri Markkanen's future. He's a year or two away from being strong enough to play consistent minutes at the next level, his defense is a question mark, and his scoring off the dribble is a work in progress. There are too many unknowns to justify taking him in a lottery that's full of talent everywhere else. Still, he's such a good shooter at seven-feet tall that he could be unguardable if he gets more comfortable a few years down the line. All of which is to say: I understand other teams passing. But it'd be a home run if the Kings can grab a rookie like Fox and take a flier on Markkanen as either a) Ryan Anderson off the bench, or b) something much scarier in four years, particularly with Dave Joerger around to coach him on defense."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: The Undefeated
Expert: Marc J. Spears
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
He said it: "Word is Markkanen would love to go to the Wolves to join forces with fellow 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns. But keep an eye on North Carolina State guard Dennis Smith here too."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: BleacherReport.com
Expert: Jonathan Wasserman
Projected to go: No. 13 overall to the Denver Nuggets
He said it: "The Denver Nuggets bring in Lauri Markkanen to score and shoot alongside Nikola Jokic.
"That's Markkanen's calling card in the pros. He doesn't offer much rim protection or a physical presence inside, but his perimeter shot-creating and shot-making skills are highly advanced, particularly for a 7-footer.
"He hasn't worked out for Denver, though it shouldn't matter, assuming the Nuggets' scouting department did its homework. Without any medical or character red flags and a game Denver's lineup could use, Markkanen makes enough sense with Danilo Gallinari opting out."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: BleacherReport.com
Expert: Maurice Moton
Projected to go: No. 10 overall to the Sacramento Kings
He said it: "Lauri Markkanen projects as a stretch 4, who complements a defensive-minded center with paint-restricted scoring ability. The Arizona product alongside Willie Cauley-Stein fits the bill.
"Markkanen has a smooth stroke from beyond the arc that will attract suitors selecting before the Kings at No. 10. Nonetheless, if he falls due to all the talent at guard, Sacramento would pick up a quality shooter at power forward.
"The 7-footer won't log many double-doubles due to his struggles rebounding in the paint, but he's a marksman with space to pull up, and his size allows him to fire away with a hand in his face. Markkanen can also put the ball on the floor when he drives to the left."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: BleacherReport.com
Expert: Chris Roling
Projected to go: No. 12 overall to Detroit Pistons
He said it: "Lauri Markkanen ... has the talent to make many franchises who pass on him smack their heads in hindsight. Markkanen is a sharpshooter who stands at a gigantic 7'0" and 230 pounds. He's not a traditional big man who will bang down low while protecting the rim and gobbling up boards on the glass—but it's not like those sorts of big men are the norm anymore.
"Collegiate numbers sum this up well. In his lone season at Arizona, Markkanen averaged 15.6 points per game on 49.2 percent shooting from the floor and 42.3 percent from deep. But he only managed 7.2 boards and 0.5 blocks per game despite standing 7'0" tall. ..."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: SB Nation
Expert: Ricky O'Donnell
Projected to go: No. 7 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves
He said it: "Markkanen is an elite shooter at 7-feet tall with an ultra quick release. That should help open up driving lanes for Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine, and even Karl-Anthony Towns. Think of him as a bigger Ryan Anderson. He’ll need to add strength and improve defensively."
- Drew McCullough Arizona Daily Star
Outlet: TheRinger.com
Expert: Jonathan Tjarks
He said it: "Markkanen shoots better than all of the top guards in this year’s draft, despite being well over half a foot taller than any of them. ... At 7 feet tall and 225 pounds, Markkanen has a high release point and an effortless stroke, which allows him to get his shot off quickly. He can shoot from anywhere, and he should have no trouble immediately extending his range behind the deeper NBA 3-point line. ...
"If Markkanen isn’t going to offer much on defense and the glass, the only way for him to start on a good NBA team is to make him a primary option on offense. The good news on that front is that he’s much more than a shooting specialist, even though that was the primary way he was used at Arizona. According to the tracking numbers at Synergy Sports, Markkanen was an elite roll man (81st percentile among NCAA players), post player (94th percentile), and isolation scorer (91st percentile). He became more comfortable putting the ball on the floor as the season went on, and if he can consistently take two dribbles and rise up for a shot on the move, he will be almost unguardable."
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