Chicago Bulls: 3 players to watch in group workouts

2) Chicago Bulls players to watch in group workouts: Lauri Markkanen

The player that everyone is likely going to want to see progression from next season before it all could come to an end for him in the Windy City is former Arizona Wildcats power forward  Lauri Markkanen. About the worst season in his NBA career to date was delivered by Markkanen during the 2019-20 campaign.

Entering his fourth year in the NBA, Markkanen is going to need to have a major bounce back season in the worst of ways. Markkanen is about to enter the final year of his rookie contract and needs to be good them during the 2019-20 season. He played in 50 games during the 2019-20 season (all of which he started in).

Markkanen averaged 14.7 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks. He shot 42.5 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line. That amounted to a career-low -0.6 box plus/minus rating, .084 win shares per 48 minutes, and a 56.0 true shooting percentage.

A few areas of Markkanen’s game specifically where he should improve are outside shooting, rebounding, and turnovers. Markkanen posted career-highs in turnover rate, and percentage of missed open three-point shots. He also posted career-lows in three-point shooting percentage, rebounding percentage, and block percentage.