The Cleveland Cavaliers landed the biggest remaining free agent on the market Friday, agreeing to a sign-and-trade deal to acquire restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen and sign him to a four-year, $67 million contract.
Despite Markkanen's talent, the Cavaliers adding another frontcourt contributor making starter money after already drafting Evan Mobley with the No. 3 pick and re-signing center Jarrett Allen to a five-year, $100 million contract raises questions -- before we even get to Cleveland sending out valuable frontcourt reserve Larry Nance Jr. in return.
The Portland Trail Blazers jumped into this trade to land Nance, a strong fit for their rotation, while the Chicago Bulls played middleman and leveraged matching rights for Markkanen into a pair of draft picks and a reasonable short-term gamble on forward Derrick Jones Jr.
Who wins the trade? Does this move bring the Cavaliers any closer to returning to the postseason? Kevin Pelton hands out trade grades for all three teams.
Cavaliers get: Lauri Markkanen
Bulls get: Derrick Jones Jr., 2022 lottery protected first-round pick, 2023 second-round pick (Nuggets)
Trail Blazers get: Larry Nance Jr.