With all 30 NBA teams soon to be more active heading into the trade deadline, the Chicago Bulls don’t look to be moving Lauri Markkanen this year.
It wouldn’t be all that surprising to hear that the Chicago Bulls were considering other long-term options at power forward heading into the offseason, but actively shopping Lauri Markkanen might be a stretch. John Paxson and Gar Forman appear to be committed to trying to make this frontcourt duo of center Wendell Carter Jr. and Markkanen work over the long haul.
But Bulls head coach Jim Boylen did take a lot of flak so far this season for his utilization of Lauri and Wendell. The limited playing time and weird usage of those two is a big reason why the Bulls are currently sitting on the outside looking in for the Eastern Conference playoff picture, behind the Orlando Magic and Brooklyn Nets.
So far this season, Markkanen is averaging 15.0 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, while shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from three-point range. He is also hitting on 82.6 percent of his tries from the charity stripe and amassed 2.8 win shares. His player efficiency rating is sitting at a sub par 14.5.
A good portion of Markkanen’s numbers are down from both his rookie and second seasons in the NBA. The correlation in his production under former head coach Fred Hoiberg and the current head man Boylen likely has something to do with that.
But according to a Jan. 23 report from K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, the Bulls aren’t looking to shop Markkanen. Or at least he hasn’t heard anything of them trying to actively shop him.
Johnson also mentioned that he hasn’t heard any rumors of the Bulls shopping point guard Kris Dunn around entering the trade deadline either.
Granted a report from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times did emerge earlier this week stating that the Los Angeles Clippers were interested in both Dunn and forward Thaddeus Young.
Here’s what Johnson had to say on the subject of the lack of trade rumors he’s hearing from the Bulls for Markkanen and Dunn.
"Do I think Zach LaVine or Lauri Markkanen will be traded? No. Should the Bulls listen to any and all offers for those players if they come? Absolutely.As for being buyers, you need assets to do that. LaVine’s reasonable contract is one, although, as previously stated, I don’t see him being moved. Beyond that, the only asset I see — the Bulls historically have frowned upon surrendering first-round picks — is Thaddeus Young. And that’s mostly because he’s a solid veteran who would help any playoff team.I see Young and Denzel Valentine as the most likely candidates to be moved. Executives from other teams that I talk to think Young will draw interest, particularly since the third year of his deal isn’t fully guaranteed."
Here’s him keying on Dunn specifically.
"I’ve heard no trade discussions involving Dunn since last offseason. Back then, it was well documented how available he was. And the Bulls had talks with the Grizzlies, at least, to move him there.But, again, when you’re in a position like the Bulls are, you have to listen to any offers. I personally think there’s a good chance Dunn will be back with the Bulls next season. His role acceptance and ability to defend have made him a valuable rotation piece. As a restricted free agent, Dunn’s offers can be matched by the Bulls. It’s their duty to have a sense of what Dunn’s market will be this summer in restricted free agency. As previously written in this feature, I think a three-year, $30-36M deal is feasible for Dunn. And while that sounds like a lot, remember that the salary cap keeps increasing."
There’s a lot going on with the Bulls ahead of the 2020 trade deadline. They have a lot of trade chips that other teams should find valuable. And they’re still sitting beyond two games out of the playoff picture in the East.
The Bulls head into a crucial Jan. 24 meeting at home at the United Center with the Sacramento Kings with a record of 17-29. They can move one step closer into the playoff race or start deciding that taking another stab at the rebuild is the way to go ahead of the deadline on Feb. 6.