Bobby Portis Says Lauri Markkanen Should Be A Lock For The Most Improved Player Award

Lauri Markkanen has a good case for the Most Improved Player award.

Credit: Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports

Big man Lauri Markkanen was previously regarded as an inconsistent prospect, but this year, he has truly developed into a star. As of right now, Lauri Markkanen is averaging 24.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, and 1.9 APG while shooting 41.3% from the 3PT range for the Utah Jazz.

There is no doubt that Lauri Markkanen has made a huge leap from last season to this one, and has clearly adapted to an increase in his role and responsibility. In fact, he should be considered one of the candidates for the Most Improved Player award this season. In fact, Milwaukee Bucks big man Bobby Portis has recently suggested Markkanen "should be a lock" for MIP.

Lauri should be a lock.

It is clear that Lauri Markkanen has a good case to win the MIP award this season. He is now the face of an entire franchise and has elevated to being a true star-level player. However, there are definitely other great candidates for the award, such as guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. It remains to be seen if Lauri Markkanen manages to convince the voters that he has improved the most from last season to this one.

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The Utah Jazz Value Lauri Markkanen Highly

Though there was some trade speculation about Lauri Markkanen earlier in the season, it seems as though the Utah Jazz want to retain him. A recent report revealed that the Utah Jazz are unwilling to trade him, and it was also noted that they have already rejected a trade offer for Markkanen from the Hawks.

“The Jazz’s interest in Hawks forward John Collins is real, league sources said, and would seem to indicate Utah is considering how to add to this winning unit rather than subtract from it,” Fischer wrote. “Right now, the likelihood of Collins landing in Salt Lake City, though, seems low. Atlanta approached the Jazz about swapping Collins for Markkanen, sources said, which did not generate any traction.”

It makes sense that the Utah Jazz want to keep Lauri Markkanen. He is a young All-Star-level talent, and could easily be a key piece in the next iteration of their team. Getting him from the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the Donovan Mitchell trade was definitely a smart move from the front office.

Hopefully, we see Lauri Markkanen continue to flourish in the future. He is definitely an extremely talented big man, and we'll see just how good he can become for the Utah Jazz going forward.

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