Does this move make sense for the San Antonio Spurs?
Adding Lauri Markkanen definitely makes sense for the Spurs, as he is a young, stretch big man who would fit in perfectly with their new system. For years, San Antonio has been a team that looks to play with a slow pace and through their big guys in the low-post, but this is old-school NBA.
The Spurs are finally getting up to par with the new-school theory of playing with athletes at every position and big guys who can stretch the floor. They have the athletes part with guys like Murray, White, Vassell and now Primo, but they do not really have many big guys who can stretch the floor.
Lauri Markkanen would not only be one of the better three-point shooters on the floor in San Antonio, but he could create a really solid one-two punch with Jakob Poeltl in the paint as well. Poeltl played well for the Spurs last season, averaging 8.6 PPG and 7.9 RPG, but with Markkanen by his side, the Spurs would have two 7-footers to aid in rebounding on both ends of the floor.
Out of every player available in free agency this offseason, San Antonio should want to bring Markkanen in, but not at the expense of a sign-and-trade. Not only would they have to give up Lonnie Walker IV, but they would wind up hard-capping themselves, which is not ideal seeing as they are likely going to go through some kind of a rebuild over the next year or two.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 5 stars next to move following Lakers’ Russell Westbrook trade
Waiting for the Bulls to let Lauri Markkanen walk and then swoop in to offer him a three to four year deal makes the most sense for the Spurs, which is why they will likely be patient and not look to get a sign-and-trade deal done. Other teams will pursue Markkanen, but much like the Spurs, these teams will most likely opt not to hard-cap themselves by trying to get the young big man in a sign-and-trade.
