Chicago Bulls: Potential sign-and-trade scenarios for Lauri Markkanen

Chicago Bulls sign-and-trades with Lauri Markkanen: San Antonio Spurs

Bulls Recieve: Lonnie Walker IV, Luka Samanic, 2023 Second Round Pick

Spurs Recieve: Lauri Markkanen, Ryan Arcidiacono

Finally, another team to be rumored in wanting to sign Markkanen is the San Antonio Spurs. With them needing to find a replacement for mainstay big man LaMarcus Aldridge, Markkanen’s ability to shoot could do them some good.

As for the Bulls side of this trade, they can get more explosiveness in the backcourt through Lonnie Walker IV. After coming out of Miami in 2018, Walker has shown the potential to be a good two-way player in the NBA, something the Bulls lack throughout the roster.

Being able to be deployed as either a guard or a wing, he is someone with the versatility that can really be an impact bench player or starter in the future. Finally, Luka Samanic is a big who was seen dominating the G league bubble earlier this year, showing that there may be the potential for him to be a rotational piece in the future.

This trade (much like the other two outlined), would allow for the Bulls to account for both the short and long term future by taking in players that better fit around this new core, while also cashing in Markkanen’s value for someone who may be of better use in the future.