Lauri Markkanen’s Ceiling Labeled ‘Biggest Question’ for Jazz Pre-Camp

A large part of the success seen from the Utah Jazz last season was thanks to the leap in production from F Lauri Markkanen. Finding his way to career-high averages in points and FG%, he found himself as the leader of this franchise while also earning All-Star and Most Improved Player honors.

However, many have put his ability to elevate his game into becoming one of the elite stars of the NBA into question. Despite averaging over 25 PPG on stellar efficiency, there’s still a bit more the Finnish product can prove going into his 2023-24 campaign.

Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report pins Lauri’s chance to add another level to his game as the biggest question for the Jazz before we enter NBA Media Day:

He was one of the league's best and most efficient scorers, and his sudden transformation into an All-Star made the Utah Jazz one of last season's biggest surprises. Now, the question is whether he can pass the age-old "best player on a title contender” test.

With the lack of playmaking currently in his arsenal (he's more of a finisher than creator), the natural answer to the above might just be "no." But he's still just 26. There's time for him to improve as a ball-handler, passer and defender. If he does reach another level beyond what he showed in 2022-23, the Jazz's rebuild will suddenly look a lot different.

It’s safe to say Markkanen has the scoring side of his game covered, but fine-tuning the edges of what he can provide on the floor is what can take him to another echelon of talent. With an improved playmaking emphasis and developing of better defensive tools, there is tons of potential for even more than what we’ve come to see.

A bolstered core of surrounding players can help Markkanen reach those heights. Adding veteran F John Collins and three talented new first-round rookies should help him make more plays for others and hopefully take some of the emphasis off of himself for opposing defenses.

Days away now from media day and training camp, Jazz narratives and stories continue to heat up by the day. Now, going into his 7th career season, Markkanen will look to prove doubters wrong once again.

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