Lauri Markkanen Is Taking On An Interesting Role This Offseason

During the offseason, most NBA players either train, travel, rest, or otherwise enjoy themselves.

However, Utah Jazz big man Lauri Markkanen will be doing something different entirely.

The Finland native will be fulfilling his national requirement for military service this summer, according to ESPN.

Jazz All-Star Lauri Markkanen intends to fulfill his mandatory service in the Finnish military this offseason, he told @ramonashelburne.

More info 🔗: https://t.co/0mIOqW97qk pic.twitter.com/ehBJ7PMJzC

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 6, 2023

Unlike the United States, Finland requires all of its male citizens to serve in its armed forces and to complete their service by the age of 30.

Markkanen has certainly provided some very productive service for the Jazz this season, as he’s averaging 25.6 points per game, by far a career-high, while shooting a career-best 49.9 percent from the field.

He was a major reason why Utah started the season 10-3 and looked like a lock to make the playoffs, and despite playing poorly, the team still has a shot at reaching the play-in tournament.

Markkanen spent last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and helped them reach the play-in tourney, and prior to that he spent his first four pro seasons with the Chicago Bulls.

At seven-feet tall and 240 pounds, he rarely plays center, which makes him a difficult matchup at either forward position, especially because he is a good 3-point shooter who owns a lifetime accuracy of 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.

Markannen is just 25 years of age and is under contract for two more seasons, so he has a chance to be a part of the Jazz’s future.

The team has a slew of first-round draft picks in the coming years which it can use to build a winning team around him.

NEXT: 
Lauri Markkanen Has Evolved In 1 Season With The Jazz