Chicago Bulls: 3 players who must go that don’t fit well with Zach LaVine
Lauri Markkanen, PF
The Bulls actually saw some signs of life in the game of the fourth-year power forward and seven-footer Lauri Markkanen in the final games of the regular season. Coming off the bench, Markkanen provided mixed results for the Bulls’ frontcourt rotation to say the very least. With an inconsistent role came inconsistent production for Markkanen down the stretch this season.
The 24-year-old native of Finland Markkanen actually got the start at the five in his final game of his rookie contract with the Bulls. This was the first start for Markkanen since a five-point Bulls loss to the surging Phoenix Suns back on March 31. And he played pretty well in an elevated role for the Bulls after getting eliminated from the postseason in the past week.
Although Markkanen only started in one game in April and May, he is still due starter-level money in restricted free agency this offseason. Of the 51 games he’s played in this season, Markkanen has started in barely over half of them (26 including his start against the Bucks on May 16).
He’s scored in double figures in each of the last three games (which could be four depending on how he finishes out against the Bucks). But it also might be too little too late in terms of Markkanen trying to prove he’s worth getting re-signed by the Bulls this offseason.
Next. 3 current Bulls most likely to be Hall of Famers. dark
In terms of the fit between Markkanen and LaVine, the chemistry seems to have really faded in the past two seasons. The ability for Markkanen and LaVine to find each other on offense went away. And given the dip in defensive production for each of them this season, they aren’t the best duo on that end of the floor.