Jazz F Lauri Markkanen Finds Honorable Spot in All-NBA Betting Odds

Last season marked a massive leap for the career of Utah Jazz F Lauri Markkanen. After finding himself as a moving piece in the blockbuster trade sending G Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the 7-foot Finnish forward found his footing to reach the first-ever All-Star nod.

Entering his second year in Salt Lake City, Markkanen is eyeing to keep some positive momentum for the 2023-24 NBA season. A full offseason to grow with HC Will Hardy and the rest of the team could be exactly what is needed to take even more strides forward.

For Markkanen, the next step forward could be an All-NBA selection. Initial betting odds from DraftKings have pinned the 26-year-old with respectable prospects for an appearance entering his 7th season in the league.

Markkanen currently stands at odds of +1500 to reach All-NBA First Team, tied for 19th in the entire league. He stands with the same chances as players like Indiana Pacers G Tyrese Haliburton, New Orleans Pelicans F Brandon Ingram, and Los Angeles Clippers F Paul George.

Are people sleeping on Lauri Markkanen? 🤔

“He don’t need much. To be a all-star his usage rate is so low. He don’t need the ball that much but he finds a way to make it happen…People don’t realize he 7-foot but he strong, he got bounce...”

- Jarred Vanderbilt

Via: Run Your… pic.twitter.com/HDhKOSPiWP
— Tidal League (@TidalLeague) September 20, 2023

All-NBA members are expected to look a bit differently come next season, considering the league’s new selection process removing positional restrictions. It could allow an easier route for Markkanen to find his way into the top 15 players of the season if everything goes perfectly.

It would still be a difficult road to take, banking on increased success in the win column from the Jazz in a tight Western Conference. However, it’s not unattainable. If the young pieces of this team mesh quickly, a spike in production and on-court performance could follow, effectively placing Markkanen in an improved position to prosper.

A little over a month remains until the season starts, so many projections and predictions are still to come. Regardless, the Jazz will continue to be a team to keep note of as we inch closer to opening night.

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