Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen has been named the 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player. The sixth-year ward received 69 first-place votes, 27 second-place votes, and four third-place votes, bringing his total score to 430.
“It’s a good tribute to the work you’ve done, but it’s just the beginning,” Markkanen said. “I want to take the next leap and be able to lead this team to the playoffs and do something big with this group.”
Shay Gilgos Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder finished second, with 24 first-place votes, 54 second-place votes, and seven third-place votes. The SGA collected 289 total points.
According to a few NBA betting sites, the Jazz have a 4.5% chance of receiving the first overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. The sportsbooks give the Detroit Pistons, San Antonio Spurs, and Houston Rockets a 14% chance of winning the first lead.
Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen has been named the NBA’s 2022-23 George Mikan Award as the NBA’s Most Improved Player.
Full voting results and award history: https://t.co/Su6kMftXQC pic.twitter.com/AWvB9MODlZ
– NBA Communications (NBAPR) April 24, 2023
In 66 starts with the Jazz this season, Lauri Markkanen has averaged career highs of 25.6 points, 1.9 assists, 8.7 field goals and 34.4 minutes per game. In addition, the forward shot’s career is best at 49.9% from the floor and 87.5% at the foul line.
Additionally, in Utah’s 131-114 win over the Houston Rockets on January 5, the winger scored 49 points in 37 minutes of action. Along with grabbing eight boards, Markkanen has shot 15-of-27 (55.6%) from the field and drained six three-pointers.
Utah Jazz star Lauri Markkanen has been named the 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player after posting 16 games with 30 or more points.
Furthermore, Lauri Markkanen received his first All-Star selection as a Western Conference reserve. In September, the Cleveland Cavaliers sold Arizona product, Ochai Agbaji, Collin Sexton, and five first-round draft picks (2025-29) to Utah for Donovan Mitchell.
Markkanen went on to finish the regular season 16th in points (1,691), 20th on 3-pointers made (200), 20th on free throws (349), 10th in offensive win shares (6.3), 20th in player efficiency rating (22.1), and 17th. In the plus / minus offensive box (4.9). No matter which way one takes it, it deserves to be the MVP win without a doubt.
Lauri Markkanen speaks with the NBA on the TNT crew after winning the MIP Award
He also gives an update on how things are going with his military service in Finland
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.#JazzNation #UtahJazz # Take note#jujazz # The NBA # Team 49# Laurie Markkanen #NBAAwards #KiaMIP pic.twitter.com/SfERMxJDNs– Jazz Nation (@JazzNationNews) April 24, 2023
Last season with Cleveland, the forward averaged 14.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 30.8 minutes per game. The Finnish native scored just three doubles in the 2021-22 season, also with the Cavaliers. Fast forward to a year, Markkanen finished the season with 28 double-doubles. The difference is day and night.
More importantly, Markkanen is earning every cent of the four-year, $67.47 million contract he signed with the Chicago Bulls as part of a signing and trade to the Cavaliers in 2021. The Jazz forward made $16,475,454 this season and will earn $17,259,999 after that. season.