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Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen rising 2020 NBA All-Star?

By Andrew Miller

CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls talks to the media during the 2019 NBA All-Star Rising Stars Practice and Media Availability on February 15, 2019 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - FEBRUARY 15: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls talks to the media during the 2019 NBA All-Star Rising Stars Practice and Media Availability on February 15, 2019 at Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A good candidate to be the first NBA All-Star selection for the Chicago Bulls since Jimmy Butler could be power forward Lauri Markkanen.

The question of the future participants, and mainly starters, for the NBA All-Star Game is something that is fun to look forward to. Especially during All-Star Weekend, projecting how some of the game’s best young players will turn out in the next couple years is one of the most intriguing ideas. One player that sticks out for the Chicago Bulls as someone who can emerge as a potential 2020 NBA All-Star selection is the second-year power forward Lauri Markkanen.

On Feb. 15, Markkanen helped kick off All-Star Weekend as the lone participant from the Chicago Bulls in the 2019 NBA Rising Stars Challenge. Markkanen competed for the defeated team, the World, in a nice effort where he posted 21 points and showed out alongside young Canadian power forward Ben Simmons.

However, next season it could be Markkanen that is the lone participant from the Chicago Bulls in the NBA All-Star Game itself. If everything holds as it is now for the 2018-19 regular season, then two player from the Bulls could be All-Star selections next year. Shooting guard Zach LaVine could be considered an All-Star snub this season, especially after the injury to Victor Oladipo.

At just 21-years-old, Markkanen is a good candidate to be an under-the-radar All-Star selection for the 2019-20 regular season. He’ll be 22 at the time the 2020 All-Star Weekend comes around, but Markkanen should still be one of the brighter young stars in the NBA.

Moreover, the Chicago Bulls should have a host of good candidates for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. A few under-the-radar candidates outside of Markkanen includes small forward Otto Porter Jr., center Wendell Carter Jr., and any player the franchise selects in the lottery of the 2019 NBA Draft.

Something that would be awesome to witness for All-Star Weekend next year is Markkanen participating in the All-Star Game itself, and having LaVine compete in that and the Dunk Contest. Markkanen is a sharpshooter that can also get up given his height. LaVine lives above the rim and is finding his way in the Windy City now.

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Markkanen and LaVine are really an ideal pair to come from the same team to compete in an All-Star Game. But, Markkanen does seem like a more integral part of the future of this franchise. For that reason, his rise to prominence in the NBA is very important for the image of the Chicago Bulls.

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