Chicago Bulls: 3 most valuable trade chips heading into 2020-21 season

1) Most valuable Chicago Bulls trade chips

It was really difficult to figure out which Bulls player belonged in the final spot on this list. It came down to the likes of fourth-year seven-footer and power forward Lauri Markkanen and the 25-year-old standout shooting guard Zach LaVine. But the difference is the versatility for which Markkanen would command on the trade market this season.

Another big difference between LaVine and Markkanen is who would be more “untouchable” this season. A lot of that would come down to how Karnisovas and Donovan feel that each fits with this rebuild as the 2020-21 season moves along. At the moment, you’d have to figure that both LaVine and Markkanen would command a hefty price tag on the trade block. But the latter of those two would likely be a bit more valuable in the modern NBA.

During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, Markkanen played in 50 games for the Bulls (all of which he started in). And he averaged 14.3 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks. Markkanen shot 42.5 percent from the field, 34.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 82.4 percent from the free-throw line.

Basketball-Reference projects Markkanen to average 19.1 points per game, 8.6 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.6 blocks during the 2020-21 season. And they project him to shoot 43.9 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 84.4 percent from the free-throw line.

A good bet would be for Markkanenn to bounce back this season. The problem is that since he is now in contract extension talks, his bad showing last season doesn’t give him much leverage. And if he doesn’t bounce back immediately this season, then he could be in trouble with the Bulls.