Chicago Bulls: 3 Reasons for poor performance post trade deadline

Reasons for Chicago Bulls recent struggles: The disappearance of Coby White and Lauri Markkanen

Following the NBA trade deadline, two already inconsistent Bulls youngsters have completely disappeared. That would be Lauri Markkanen and Coby White, both of which have been moved to a bench role that may play a part in their non-existent performances most nights.

Unfortunately for them, that’s where they are expected to stay. Not only does it makes sense from an on-court standpoint, but they both have been so bad since the deadline inserting either one into the starting lineup seems like a recipe for disaster.

Markkanen has had some positive moments, but only briefly. Since the deadline, he is averaging 9.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. It’s confusing how little aggression he is showing on most nights as he seems perfectly fine being a spectator on the court.

That is an interesting approach for a player approaching a big free agency. Markkanen will be a restricted free agent this offseason and is not helping himself with his recent play.

White, meanwhile, has somehow managed to be even worse than Markkanen. He has played in 8 of the teams 11 games since the moves were made, and he is averaging 9.4 points and 2.8 assists per game in those games. He’s also shooting 24.2 percent from behind the arc and turning the ball over 1.9 times per game, almost equaling his assist numbers on a per-game basis.

The youngsters are going to be asked to pick it up heavily the rest of the way as the team just lacks options outside of them. White is needed to get point guard moments and will need to play more efficiently. While Markkanen needs to have an aggressive approach moving forward and show the league what he is capable of as a shooter.