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Chicago Bulls: 5 reasons resting Lauri Markkanen right move

By Andrew Miller

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Robin Lopez #42 and Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 17: Robin Lopez #42 and Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 17, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – MARCH 26: Wayne Selden Jr. #14 of the Chicago Bulls plays against OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 26, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Bulls 112-103. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MARCH 26: Wayne Selden Jr. #14 of the Chicago Bulls plays against OG Anunoby #3 of the Toronto Raptors during an NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on March 26, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Raptors defeated the Bulls 112-103. NOTE TO USER: user expressly acknowledges and agrees by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Licence Agreement. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

5. Chance for others to stick out

In all likelihood, Chicago Bulls head coach Jim Boylen will be forced to turn to a smaller lineup and rotation in general since he’s missing so many frontcourt players. Carter Jr. and Markkanen are staples for the future of the Bulls frontcourt and both look to be out for the remainder of the regular season.

Hopefully, Lopez can continue to standout down low like he has of late. His showing in the losses to the Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers on the road on March 26 and 27 weren’t too encouraging, though. Lopez is going to be one of the most important parts of the lineup down the stretch.

Nonetheless it appears that Lopez will be well worth re-signing for the Bulls front office since frontcourt depth is a huge issue at the moment. Lopez could be starting in the frontcourt alongside someone like traditional wings/shooting guards Wayne Selden and/or Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot.

It’s hard to imagine that the Bulls frontcourt fell far enough to consider a starting lineup like that, but that is the point we’re at right now. Losing out on Markkanen and Carter Jr. will also put quite a bit of pressure on the shoulders of Lopez. But, this also offers the opportunity for some new faces to step up and prove themselves in the core part of the rotation.

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