Bulls Rumors: Lauri Markkanen’s time in Chicago winding down
Following the elimination of the Chicago Bulls from the postseason, the rumor mill is getting back up and running entering the offseason. First-year head coach Billy Donovan and the Bulls have just two games remaining ahead of the offseason. They are currently facing the Brooklyn Nets on the road on May 15 in the early afternoon. And in the midst of their meeting with the Nets, Bulls rumors are circulating concerning the status of fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen heading into the offseason.
The Bulls sport a record of 30-40 following a nice double-digit win over the Toronto Raptors on May 13. But that was all for naught with the Washington Wizards officially clinching the final spot in the play-in tournament for later this month with their May 14 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. That officially eliminated the Bulls from postseason contention.
According to a report from Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times on May 15, the time for Markkanen with the Bulls could be coming to an end in the very near future. With his role declining under Donovan in the last couple of months, the writing was on the wall for Markkanen, who is an impending restricted free agent this summer.
Bulls rumors continue surrounding PF Lauri Markkanen
This piece from Cowley and the Chicago-Sun Times did essentially say that the front office doesn’t look to have a very high level of interest in bringing back Markkanen for next season. The Bulls will have control of Markkanen’s offer sheet in restricted free agency this offseason, but that might lead to a sign-and-trade deal.
The former seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft for the Bulls hasn’t really lived to the hyp in each of his four seasons with the team. Markkanen was solid out of the gates for the Bulls this season but hasn’t found his game in the second half.
At the exact time when the Bulls needed Markkanen to come through, he’s struggled down the stretch. This was also the time for Markkanen to show what his value should be when he hits free agency for the first time in his career.
dark. Next. 3 players who could soon be done with the Bulls
Markkanen and the Bulls are currently facing the Nets on the road at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on May 15. Then the regular season finale is set to take place for the Bulls on May 16 at home at the United Center against the Central Division foe Milwaukee Bucks.