NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: Lauri Markkanen
Fit with the Bucks
Lauri Markkanen is a fit on any team that needs shooting, and unsurprisingly, the Bucks are one of those teams. Imagine a shooting wizard spacing the floor as Giannis or Jabari drive and dish. Isn’t that why they signed Mirza Teletovic?
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Well, Markkanen is what an “elite” Teletovic looks like. What he lacks in physical defense or rim protection is made up for with a sweet stroke. His lack of length can be masked alongside the long arms of the Bucks’ bigs.
If the Bucks are able to draft Lauri Markkanen, they will get a ready-to-contribute rotational piece. Time with Milwaukee’s training staff will help to add size and strength, and some time with the coaching staff will hopefully help determine his fit – stretch four, five?
Overall, Markkanen is an interesting fit with Milwaukee, but he is currently projected just inside the top-10, putting him outside of reach for the Bucks. The NBA loves stretch-fours, so it’s hard to imagine owners letting him fall out of the lottery.
Next: NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: Justin Patton
There doesn’t seem to be enough here for Milwaukee to trade up to draft him, but I can’t argue with the logic of putting high-level shooters around Giannis.