3. Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward
Fault for the poor play of the Chicago Bulls could be placed on third-year power forward Lauri Markkanen along with poor usage by the coaching staff. It seems like Markkanen isn’t getting in rhythm, isn’t comfortable shooting or facilitating, and not getting the floor spacing he needs. Markkanen is a solid shooter, but it doesn’t look like it so far this season.
Among the Bulls starting five, Markkanen has the lowest player efficiency rating (11.8) and the third worst box plus/minus rating overall (-3.1). The numbers are rapidly declining for Markkanen from last season to now. His shooting numbers and per game averages are all down compared to his first two seasons in the NBA.
Markkanen is averaging 13.3 points per game, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while shooting 35.3 percent from the field and 28.2 percent from three-point range. At least he’s still shooting better than 81 percent from the free-throw line. His effective field goal percentage dropped from 50.2 percent last season to 42.1 percent through 19 games.
There’s really not any areas where Markkanen improved his game heading into his third season in the NBA. Considering he was expected to be one of the two main focal points of this team and rebuild this season, along with shooting guard Zach LaVine, Markkanen declining so rapidly is a complete detriment to the Bulls.