San Antonio Spurs: Potential Roster Impacts of Lauri Markkanen Interest

San Antonio Spurs Keldon Johnson (David Banks-USA TODAY Sports)

Starting Keldon Johnson and Markkanen is a mix of strength and finesse

Keldon Johnson would start alongside Markkanen, with their varying skill sets complementing each other well. Whether you play them with another big man or on their own, Johnson and Markkanen would give the Spurs a lot of options on the offensive end of the floor.

Markkanen is a volume three-point marksman who could easily supply Johnson with ample room to operate in his aggressive drives to the basket. Lately, the sophomore has been getting less and less touches because of how defenses have been collapsing on the paint to stop penetrations. Without a reliable outside stroke and increasingly tough looks inside his role has shrunk the past few weeks.

Look at the low quality shots that he has been given lately. There is no denying Keldon’s brute strength and motor, but only having one reliable outside shooter in the starting lineup in Derrick White is challenging.

Having Markkanen’s outside shooting as a threat would pull the defense out of the paint. He’s been hitting 39 percent of his triples this season, a figure that will surely keep defenses on him and keep them from sliding in to help stop Johnson’s drives.

Next: Lauri and Luka