Final Year Of Lauri Markkanen’s Deal With Cavs Not Fully Guaranteed

August 31, 2021

The contract of Cavaliers forward Lauri Markkanen includes some nonguaranteed money in its final season, according to Keith Smith of Spotrac.

Markkanen was acquired by the Cavs in a sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls and Trail Blazers that sent forward Larry Nance Jr. to Portland and guard/forward Derrick Jones Jr. to Chicago.

Markannen’s contract reportedly is for four years and $67 million. Per Smith, it breaks down this way:

2021-22: $15,690,909
2022-23: $16,475,454
2023-24: $17,259,999
2024-25: $18,044,544

But only $6 million of that final season is guaranteed “with a pre-free agency full guarantee date,” Smith wrote.’

Markkanen, 24, is 7-foot-0 and averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 51 games with the Bulls last season. He joins a Cavs frontcourt that includes the likes of center Jarrett Allen, power forward Kevin Love and rookie center/forward Evan Mobley.

“I think I fit in well — young core, exciting point guards. I’m looking forward to playing with those big guys in the frontcourt. They’re all young, talented guys. I think we can grow together,” Markkanen told KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “And I can’t wait to learn from a player like Kevin Love. Just learn aspects of the game from him and the mentality of the game, how he approaches it. I’m looking forward to that as well.”