Chicago Bulls 4th best trade asset: Lauri Markkanen
Coming in at fourth on the list is the Chicago Bull whose name is most rumored to be involved in any trade deadline deal, Lauri Markkanen. The former seventh overall selection failed to reach an agreement on an extension with the team coming into this year which made his name inevitable in trade talks throughout the season.
That has proven true and as the deadline gets closer his name is generating more and more buzz around the league. It makes sense, given what he can bring to a team and his age. The main reason the Bulls are so open to trading the sharpshooting big man is his contract, which will see him become a restricted free agent in the coming offseason.
Seeing how the Bulls failed to reach an extension with Markkanen, the righting has somewhat been on the wall all season. Barring him proving to be the player they thought he was entering the league it was going to be hard for the Bulls to match any big offer he signs in the offseason. That opens the door for suitors looking to get an advantage on retaining his rights in free agency.
Markkanen certainly has a skill set that is valued in today’s NBA. He is a stretch big that can shoot with the best of them, currently shooting just under 40 percent from behind the arc on the season. Players his size are rare as knockdown shooters and he also has athleticism that occasionally jumps off the screen.
The 23-year-olds value is hurt by his inability to rebound this season and his contract situation. In terms of rebounding, the numbers are too low for a player his size, even if he spends a lot of time away from the rim stretching the floor. He has totaled just one double-double on the season and needs to learn to play more physical no matter where he ends up long term.
The main issue, though, is that contract. If Markkanen had more team control than the right to match any contract he signs he would rank higher on this list. Given the upcoming offseason and the number of teams that will have money to spend, it’s reasonable to expect him to find a large contract on the open market.
The Bulls lack leverage and there is no guarantee trading for him will mean he is a part of a team’s long-term plans, which leads to Markkanen coming in at fourth on the list of Bulls trade assets.