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Chicago Bulls: 5 reasons Lauri Markkanen NBA’s next superstar

By Andrew Miller

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 08: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls reacts during the second half of the game against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on February 08, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 23: Daniel Hamilton #5 of the Atlanta Hawks moves against Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 23: Daniel Hamilton #5 of the Atlanta Hawks moves against Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on January 23, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. Solid two-way player

The spotlight shed on some of the better two-way players in the NBA is becoming more and more noticeable with the world of advanced analytics taking over basketball. And, the advanced analytics are very favorable to Markkanen’s cause on the defensive end of the floor this season.

Lauri Markkanen can thrive on both ends of the floor when he’s put in the right situation. The defensive win shares for Markkanen have dropped this season, but he is still one of the best on the team in that stat category. He’s tied for second on the team in defensive wins shares this season and last.

The defensive trio for the Bulls that includes point guard Kris Dunn, rookie Wendell Carter Jr., and Markkanen, is something that could hold true for a while. If only Dunn could develop into a solid two-way point guard, he’d be a key part of a building future for this franchise. At this point of his career, it just seems like Dunn is bound to be a role player that wasn’t able to reach his very high ceiling as a top 10 NBA Draft selection.

The areas where Markkanen needs to improve could be his blocks and steals. Although, Markkanen isn’t going to play down low too much. Markkanen has the wingspan to make things happen in terms of drawing turnovers, and that would help to improve his overall defensive box plus/minus and defensive rating. He is averaging 1.2 blocks and 1.1 steals per 100 possessions in 2018-19.

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