The offseason is a time for players to focus on all personal goals that they can’t prioritize during the season. For some players, it is to relax. For others, it is to continue working on their game. For Lauri Markkanen, it’s serving in the military.
Markkanen is completing his mandatory military service as a Finnish citizen, something he had announced months ago, Pictures of him while serving have been shared and fans had some hilarious reactions to the Utah Jazz star wearing camo.
Lauri Markkanen in the Finnish military
(h/t @NBA_University ) pic.twitter.com/fR5SqSObTG
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 27, 2023
One fan wasn’t impressed due to Lauri doing a photo op while being hundreds of miles away from the frontlines.
Mans is out behind HQ, hundreds of miles from the front lol
— Clarence Beeks, Jr. (@ClarenceBeeksJr) June 27, 2023
Another fan said Markkanen is doing side quests.
He completing his last side quest
— Player Rizz NBA Magazine (@PlayerRizz) June 27, 2023
Due to his Finnish heritage, some fans called him Snow Mamba.
Snow Mamba
— Per Sources (@PerSources) June 27, 2023
The Jazz acquired John Collins a few hours before Markkanen’s picture went viral, causing people to question whether he knows if he has a new teammate.
Does he know he got John Collins?
— KCP YoJonB (@YoJonB) June 27, 2023
Fans joked about Lauri being a ‘shooter’.
Lauri Markkanen in the Finnish military be like: pic.twitter.com/pnW2uoDjhu
— boredjesse (@boredjesse) June 27, 2023
More fans found it hilarious that the reigning Most Improved Player is serving in the military.
Bro imagine getting sniped by the most improved player of the year
— 🦆¯_(ツ)_/¯ (@cantguarddurant) June 27, 2023
Markkanen taking cover in the grass while seven feet tall caused fans to laugh.
Lauri 7’0 ass trying to hide in the grass pic.twitter.com/pTKQTfVItr
— . (@nanosimps) June 27, 2023
Markkanen needed to serve this summer, as he’d be past the age limit by next offseason. He averaged 25.6 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in a sensational season for the Jazz, becoming an All-Star and establishing himself as a core pillar of the Jazz rebuild after the trades of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.
The Utah Jazz Rebuild Is Off To A Good Start
Danny Ainge did a great job in getting the most value he could for Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert and has now made the right moves in the early rebuild of this roster. Getting Walker Kessler last season in the Gobert trade turned out to be a masterstroke, as Kessler is now projected to be a future DPOY after a phenomenal rookie campaign.
They drafted well in 2023 also, bringing in three first-round picks through Taylor Hendrick, Keyontae George, and Brice Sensabaugh. The acquisition of John Collins could lead to them rebuilding his value and finding utility on the Jazz, or moving him on for a better return than what the Hawks just got.
The future options look limitless for Utah. They are in year two of a rebuild and already look to have one of the brightest futures in the league. Having a 7-foot versatile scorer like Markkanen is one of the key reasons behind it.
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