Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen is having a career-year in his first season in Salt Lake City.
The former Chicago Bull is averaging a career-high 22.2 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game on a career-high 52.8% from the field and 38.6% from 3-point range.
Markkanen recently spoke with NBC Sports Chicago on his time as a Bull, which included good memories and hard times.
“I have very good memories from Chicago playing-wise and off the court — my kids being born there, growing as a family in the city of Chicago and playing with one of the most historic franchises,” Markkanen told NBCS Chicago. “Obviously, there were definitely hard times as well, missing the playoffs four years straight. But I think now it’s just easy to say I needed that kind of experience to fight through that kind of stuff and get here where I am today.”
Markkanen led the Jazz in scoring in Monday’s loss to his former team, finishing with a game-high 32 points and nine rebounds on 12-of-18 shooting and 7-of-11 from downtown.
“You always hope to play for one team for your whole career. But it just didn’t work out,” said Markkanen, who was traded to Cleveland in a three-team sign-and-trade in August 2021. “I think I’ve definitely got better from those years, just mentality-wise and physically being in a better place … I’m smarter and better now.”
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