Chicago Bulls fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen was once the toast of the town. The seven-footer has long teased us with his sweet-looking shot and ability to put the ball on the floor. His 11-game stretch from 2018 (where he was averaging 26 points and 12 rebounds) has been the benchmark to which everyone holds him.
But opinions of him have soured on the former seventh-overall pick as he’s battled inconsistency and injury.
The “Finnisher” has missed at least 14 games in each of his three previous seasons. Some of that will occur naturally with rest days and the like. But most of Markkanen’s missed time is injury-related.
Chicago already tried to move him at the trade deadline but their offer of Markkanen for Lonzo Ball was rejected by the Pelicans.
It could still happen this summer via sign-and-trade as both will be restricted free agents.
To add insult to injury, Markkanen was sent to the bench for the first time since becoming a starter joining the since-departed Wendell Carter in the dubious honor. He had a respectable performance, dropping 13 points and six rebounds while shooting 55 percent from the floor and 75 percent from deep.
The experiment lasted all of one game as an injury to Zach LaVine forced Lauri back into the starting lineup. Against Phoenix, he had 16 points and 12 boards. He didn’t shoot particularly well; hitting just 38 percent of his shots just 25 percent from beyond the arc.
But he recorded a double-double. It was just the 39th double-double of his career.
What Chicago Bulls PF Lauri Markkanen still offers?
A highly-skilled seven-foot big man getting 10-plus rebounds shouldn’t be all that noteworthy. Yet, for Markkanen, it’s a luxury when he crashes the glass that way.
The Bulls are 65-131 in the games Markkanen plays, and have never had a winning record in games he’s played. That includes them going 8-18 this season with Markkanen on the floor. And him getting double-doubles doesn’t change that. Chicago is 14-25 in those games.
What it does, though, is help restore some of the trade value Markkanen has lost. It displayed the extra physicality he claimed to want and showed he can help in other ways than just scoring. While the news of the attempted trade undoubtedly hurt his value (Markkanen is an RFA after this season) showing the resolve in such a difficult situation counts for something.
Coby White is currently dealing with a neck injury but he and Markkanen both have to be feeling some tremendous pressure. This front office has shown they are trying to be competitive sooner much rather than later.
This season started with so much promise. Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley talked up Markkanen, saying they would find a plan for him. That plan is likely to end up being blueprints for a new residence in a different city. Because if Markkanen, White, and Ball all continue having the seasons they are, it might take both current Bulls to get a new one in Ball.
Instead of focusing on that, Markkanen showed he can be useful in different roles. He also showed some mental toughness in going from starter to bench and back with little sign of the change.
It’s probably a foregone conclusion in Chicago that Markkanen is gone. But if he can showcase his wares in a bit role and shine when called upon for the rest of the season, a sign-and-trade this offseason could actually yield something. And if he somehow doesn’t get tendered he will be far more attractive to potential suitors.