In June 2017, just days before he was selected as the 7th overall pick in the NBA Draft, Lauri Markkanen joined me on Scoop B Radio to address the shadow that follows almost every seven-foot European shooter: the comparison to Dirk Nowitzki. At the time, Markkanen was a fresh-faced prospect out of Arizona. Today, in 2025—with Markkanen thriving as an All-Star “Finnisher” for the Utah Jazz—his early humility regarding the Mavs legend has evolved into a career that stands entirely on its own merit.
Looking back, Markkanen didn’t just accept the comparison; he used it as a north star for his professional standard.
The Honor of the “Next Dirk” Label
During our 2017 session, the buzz around Markkanen’s shooting mechanics was deafening. Scouts were enamored with his 42% three-point clip at Arizona, making the Nowitzki parallels inevitable.
“Yeah, I mean, I hear that a lot,” Markkanen told me. “And I tell everyone that it’s a great honor to be compared to him. So, I know where the comparison is coming from, so I don’t mind the question.”
In 2025, that “honor” has been validated. While Markkanen may not be a clone of Dirk, he has achieved a level of “stretch-big” dominance that few others have. He recently joined Nowitzki as one of the only seven-footers in NBA history to record a game with eight or more three-pointers, proving that the “great honor” he felt in 2017 was backed by a legendary work ethic.
The Guard Skills: A Hidden Foundation
One of the most enlightening details Markkanen shared with me was his development path in Finland. Unlike many big men who are forced into the paint early, Lauri’s game was built from the perimeter inward.
“I played guard my whole life,” Markkanen revealed. “I used to double on my inside game a couple of years back… I can play whatever [the coach] asks me to.”
This “guard-first” mentality is exactly why Markkanen has seen such a resurgence in Utah. In 2025, he isn’t just a “spot-up” shooter; he is a primary “movement shooter” and ball-handler who can initiate offense. His ability to move off screens—something we discussed during the draft process—is now his signature trait, making him one of the most difficult matchups in the league.
Forging “The First Markkanen”
By 2025, the narrative has shifted. Analysts no longer ask if he is the “next Dirk”; they talk about him as the definitive Lauri Markkanen. After a rocky tenure in Chicago and a solid stint in Cleveland, he found his “All-Star” self in Utah, winning the Most Improved Player award in 2023.
“He’s the closest thing that I’ve seen to Nowitzki in terms of a seven-footer that can really stretch the game out,” — Rick Carlisle, former coach of Dirk Nowitzki (January 2024)
Even Dirk’s own coaches recognize the overlap, but as Markkanen told me back in 2017, his goal was always to “challenge himself to be better” in the American game. He has done exactly that, becoming the fastest player in NBA history to reach 100 career three-pointers and leading the Finnish national team to historic heights.
2025 Snapshot: The “Finnisher” at His Peak
As of late 2025, Markkanen is currently having a career-best statistical season. His “buttoned-up” approach to the game has resulted in elite efficiency that rivals the “efficiency god” status once held by Nowitzki.
| Stat Category | 2017 Draft Profile (Arizona) | 2025 Season (Utah Jazz) |
| PPG | 15.6 | 27.9 |
| RPG | 7.2 | 7.1 |
| 3P% | 42.3% | 36.7% (Higher Vol.) |
| FT% | 83.5% | 90.3% |
Lauri Markkanen’s 2017 session on Scoop B Radio was the prologue to a story about a player who respected the legends of the past but had the discipline to build his own future. He showed us that being compared to Dirk was a “great honor,” but being the “first Markkanen” was the ultimate prize.
