NBA: 5 players that should get first-time All-Star nods in 2023
By Max Griffith
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
The stretch forward from Finland is another name that has popped up in All-Star talk. Lauri Markkanen has finally found a home in Utah after playing for the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. He was part of the Donovan Mitchell trade this past offseason and a lot of people did not think much of it at the time.
Markkanen is putting up 23.1 points and 8.2 rebounds per game, which has been a big surprise for Utah. The shooting he provides as a 7-foot forward is great. Lauri has exploded for eight 30-point games this year and has been Utah’s best player so far this season.
Lauri is shooting 53% from the field and 43% from range in seven attempts per game. The efficiency has been the best part of the 7-footer’s game this season. He isn’t a lock for an All-Star appearance, but he definitely deserves the nod.