Averaged 34 points per game and 40% three-point percentage! Do the Lakers regret not trading him?

The three-point rate against the Warriors was 25%, against the Timberwolves 41.4%, against the Kings 32%, against the Trail Blazers 25.9%, and against the Timberwolves 35.5%. In fact, the overall 32% three-point rate is only better than five teams including the Celtics and Thunder.

Like the overall efficiency difference of three-pointers, three-pointers are the Lakers' main finishing method as before - 42.5% of their shots last season and 35.4% so far this season.

When it comes to the Lakers' three-pointer, we have to mention two points:

First, Knecht.

So far in the 25-26 season, three-point shots have accounted for 55.2% and the shooting rate has been 18.8%. Obviously, just like in his rookie season, three-pointers are still Knecter's main finishing method, but this three-point rate of less than 20% cannot be linked to pitchers.

Like Hield, Simmons and other pitchers, if they can't perform three-pointers, then being there is basically a side effect. In fact, the Lakers lost by 15 points per 100 possessions when Knecht was on the court.

Second, Markkanen.

So far from the 25-26 season, he has averaged 34 points per game and a three-point rate of 40%. Combined with his height of 2.13cm, he is obviously a top-notch space point + immediate combat power.

Previously, according to NBA China official website, the Jazz were open to trading Markkanen. At this time, there were media reports that the Lakers were trading for this "Finnish Little Nowitzki".

So do the Lakers regret not trading Markkanen?

I don’t think I regret it.

Features

Markkanen has taken a total of 6,275 shots so far in his career, 3,108 of which came from beyond the three-point line. Obviously, like Towns, Porzingis, and Lopez in his later career, the three-point outside line is the main way to finish.

But the problem is that Lopez and Lopez are good at protecting the rim, and they don't have the athletic ability of Towns and Porzingis. In other words, Markkanen is average except for three-pointers. For defense, the career defensive real plus-minus is -1.1. To put it bluntly, it is like the existence of an opponent's "cash machine".

In fact, in terms of characteristics, Markkanen is more like the "larger version" of Hachimura - the offensive end is relatively good, but the defensive end is hard to describe. The characteristics are slightly single, this is one of them.

Reeves

scored a career-high 51 points in a single game against the Kings, and scored a free throw victory against the Timberwolves for the second time. More importantly, judging from the data of 8.5 assists per game, Reeves at this stage looks like a combo guard like Irving, Mitchell, and Booker. What I mean is that you can not only maintain efficient personal finishing but also effectively connect the team. In fact, without Reeves after Doncic's injury, it would be difficult for the Lakers to defeat the Kings and Timberwolves.

If the Lakers want to trade Markkanen, Neaves will obviously become one of the bargaining chips. Looking at it now, although the former's performance is outstanding, to be honest, the latter's performance is not bad either. Even from the perspective of the game trend, Reeves's importance to the Lakers is far greater than that of Markkanen, especially after Doncic was injured.

To sum up, the reason why the Lakers do not regret not trading Markkanen mainly reflects two points:

1. Markkanen's characteristics are slightly single;

2. Reeves' performance is no worse than Markkanen.

Relatively speaking, I think the second point is the main reason.

First of all, from an offensive perspective alone, Reeves and Markkanen are on par or even better than the former at this stage, but the former's series connection is something that the latter does not have.

Secondly, considering Markkanen's annual salary of nearly 50 million, it means that the Lakers not only have to provide Reeves, but also have chips such as Rui Hachimura.

Generally speaking, if the Lakers trade Markkanen, because Reeves' immediate combat effectiveness will only decrease but not increase, they do not regret not trading him.