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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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SACRAMENTO, CA – MARCH 17: Head coach Jim Boylen of the Chicago Bulls coaches 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: Head coach Jim Boylen of the Chicago Bulls coaches 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) /

1. Tanking

Let’s be real by this point of the regular season, most of the Chicago Bulls fan base has to have their focus on the off-season and what’s to come in free agency and the 2019 NBA Draft. The Bulls are looking to build through the 2019 NBA Draft, and an early lottery pick is the hope for the beginning of the off-season.

However, if the Bulls kept its best players on the floor game-in and game-out, despite a tough stretch to end the season now, it might win some games that are contrary to the goal of picking up a good selection in the first round of this draft. Markkanen is one of the most promising players on the Bulls roster now, and he can win some games by himself at times.

This is by no means the most important reason for the Bulls to sit Markkanen for the rest of the regular season. But, the combination of unnecessary additional injury risk and the place this team is at right now in general makes it a very smart decision from Boylen and the front office to sit him down the rest of the way.

Related Story. Pre-NCAA Tournament 2019 NBA Mock Draft. light

The Bulls would love the opportunity to snag either the Duke Blue Devils standout forward Zion Williamson or the Murray State Racers electric point guard Ja Morant in the lottery this year. Williamson and Morant would both be game-changers for this franchise and could dramatically expedite the rebuild and boost Markkanen’s performance at the same time.

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