Chicago Bulls: 3 players that deserve to get less playing time
Lauri Markkanen, PF
Among all of the Bulls players that have largely disappointed since the All-Star Break let out on March 11, fourth-year power forward and former Arizona Wildcat Lauri Markkanen has to top the list. The 2017-18 All-Rookie Team selection and 23-year-old Markkanen was hot out of the gates this season but has greatly cooled down since he returned from injury post-All-Star Break.
Markkanen and the Bulls aren’t doing too well of late, and that’s what led to him hitting the bench earlier in the week. For the first time in his career, Markkanen is taking on a bench role instead of his usual spot at the four in the starting unit. Just like third-year center Wendell Carter Jr. before he was traded to the Orlando Magic back on March 25, Markkanen is finding himself in a bench role now.
And in the Bulls’ loss to the Suns and the Golden State Warriors, Markkanen didn’t have his most efficient nights ever. The Bulls were often more proficient with the likes of newly acquired big men Nikola Vucevic and Daniel Theis out on the floor instead of Markkanen. The problem is with the Bulls having dealt Luke Kornet, Mo Wagner, and WCJ, at the trade deadline, Markkanen is one of their few options in the frontcourt rotation off the bench.
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Markkanen averaged his lowest number of points per game, rebounds, and assists, in any month played this season in March. His shooting percentages from the field and from beyond the arc dipped to their lowest point of the season so far for Markkanen in March. Those aren’t good trends for a player that just hit the bench for the first time in his career to date.