Is Markanen worth 5 first rounds? At the age of 28, with an annual salary of 40 million, an average of only 19+5 per game

The organization is too smart and it has lost Qingqing's life. This is the best interpretation of Jazz General Manager An Ji, the current situation.

As a professional manager, Anji is indeed a rare talent and the bosses' favorite helmsman. He is very good at whether it is a team to compete for the championship or a short-term rapid reconstruction. At the end of 2020, Ryan Smith paid $1.66 billion to become the Jazz's largest shareholder, and he had a very deep personal relationship with Angie. So in the summer of the following year, his friend Angie took office and became the team's deputy director and CEO, responsible for all the work at the basketball level. Angie did not disappoint everyone and quickly finalized two transactions, but did not bring generous returns from the Jazz.

One, Mitchell was sent to the Cavaliers for Markcanen, Sexton, Abakki, and 3 first-round picks and 2 first-round swap rights;

One, Gobert was sent to the Timberwolves for Beasley, Vanderbilt, Beverly, Kessler, and Polmarlow, plus 4 first-round picks;

Although Mitchell was strong, due to his physical talent, he did not meet the standard of a defender in the championship. The Cavaliers he was in were also popular every year, but he returned every year. This season, as the first in the regular season, they were directly swept out by the Pacers gentleman.

As for Gobert, the Timberwolves did not bring much qualitative changes because of his arrival. They are basically dispensable roles, and the more critical the moment, the easier it is to be targeted. Their ability and performance are similar to Kessler, whom the Timberwolves gave to Jazz.

It is conceivable how much the Jazz earned. What is even more jealous is that these "gifts" that come with the draft pick transactions are also shining in the Jazz. For example, Kessler, the Jazz priced at least 2 first rounds, and Markanen, who directly called out the price not lower than Gobert and Mitchell. However, since 23, the Jazz has never been able to send Markanen away. Now, looking at it, the latter is very likely to be in trouble.

Let me first talk about why Markkanin was so valuable in the past?

22-23 season, this was the first year of Markkanen's career. In this rebuilding team, he was talented and soon became the center of offense. In the lineup at that time, only Markkanen could digest the ball. He was 7 feet tall, not inferior to the speed and ball control of the defender. He also had solid basic skills and comprehensive skills. He could play singles at a low post of 1v1, and could also break through with the ball with the frame. He could also shoot a bow and arrow from the outside. Without the pressure of record, Markkanen played very easily.

handed over a record card with an average of 25.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.9 assists. His shooting percentage was close to 50%, and his three-point shooting percentage was 39.1%. While being selected as the All-Star, he also won the title of the fastest-progress player that year. Markanen's style of play is very consistent with the requirements of modern basketball for inside players. He can instigate attacks and open up space. Although the frame protection is a little bit, he can keep up with the opponent's defender in pick-and-roll defense. The most important thing is that Markanen's salary was only $16 million at that time.

All-Star performance, bargaining salary, such a second-in-command can be said to be at the ceiling level. Which team doesn’t want it?

But how could Anji be easily fed? He directly offered 4-5 first rounds + 1 quasi-All-Star player, scaring away many buyers who were eager to get Markanen. Although it was loosened later and four first round picks could be sold, Markanen's condition declined again, and he renewed a 5-year high salary of US$238 million.

This season is the first year that Markanin's new contract takes effect, but he has a high salary of $42 million, but he does not have the previous explosive performance. He averages only 19 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, a shooting percentage of 42.3%, and a three-point shooting percentage of 34.6%. The efficiency decline is very obvious. Of course, this is related to the Jazz's chaotic lineup, but in the negotiations, this is enough to become a bargaining chip for opponents to suppress prices. What's more, Markanin's salary will increase by 4 million. In the last year, that is, the 28-29 season, his salary at the age of 32 will reach 53 million.

Judging from the current situation, although there are still many teams interested in Markkanin, the latter is obviously not worth so many first-round picks. Therefore, when doing business, don’t do it all, and always think about killing the opponent hard. You must know that you can stay on the front line in everything and meet again in the future.