Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen has been one of the team’s most disappointing players during the 2020-21 NBA season. While his offensive game has proven to be exactly what made him get drafted seventh overall by the franchise, it’s everywhere elsewhere he has disappointed and proven to be a liability on the court.
Markkanen’s rebounding numbers continue to disappoint to the point that his impressive three-point stroke can’t make it be overlooked. A player of his size simply should be capable of grabbing 10 rebounds on a somewhat consistent basis. Markkanen has proven unable to do exactly that with his current team, proven by his single double-double in 22 games played this season.
Rumors are flying regarding his availability and it makes complete sense given his upcoming restricted free agency. The Bulls front office will be able to match any contract he signs in the offseason, though it’s hard to justify matching the type of contract he is expected to get.
It would have been wise to move him in the offseason before this season began, but hindsight is always 20/20. Arturas Karnisovas felt he needed to see each talented player on the Bulls roster play with a competent head coach, which is what he brought in in Billy Donovan.
Now that he has seen at least a chunk of games played by the Bulls young players, though, it has become clear that some aren’t going to be around for the long term. It is inevitable that Markkanen falls into that category, now it is just a matter of getting assets in return for him when the team significantly lacks leverage in trade talks with other franchises.
With the trade deadline quickly approaching, here are three teams that make sense as suitors of Markkanen and what kind of assets they could potentially have on the table for the remaining season of Markkanen along with his rights in his impending restricted free agency.