Lauri Markkanen is reportedly headed to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of a three-team, sign-and-trade deal that includes the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Markkanen has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $67 million deal with Cleveland to complete the sign-and-trade, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
In exchange for Markkanen, the Bulls will receive Derrick Jones Jr. from the Trail Blazers, as well as a 2022 protected first-round pick from Portland. Chicago will also get the Denver Nugget's 2022 second-round pick, which Cleveland owned.
The Trail Blazers will be receiving Larry Nance Jr.
Markkanen, who was a restricted free agent, joins the Cavaliers after appearing in 51 games for the Bulls last season. He averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and just under one assist per game.
The 24-year-old will join a new-look Cavaliers team that added Evan Mobley, the No. 3 pick in this summer's draft, and centre Jarrett Allen this off-season.
Jones Jr. averaged 6.8 points on 48.4 per cent shooting from the field for Portland last season. He arrives in Chicago after a transformative off-season in which the Bulls swung big in another sign-and-trade, acquiring DeMar DeRozan from the San Antonio Spurs.
Nance Jr., a versatile defender, will look to bolster Portland's frontcourt after the team had a relatively quiet off-season. Despite missing time late in the season due to a fractured thumb, Nance Jr. appeared in 35 games with Cleveland, averaging 9.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.
