Chicago Bulls: 4 forwards that fit better than Lauri Markkanen

As one of the top trade chips that the Chicago Bulls are working with this summer, and one of the most high-profile impending restricted free agents, fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen is a hot topic of discussion of late. It doesn’t seem like the Bulls are leaning toward re-signing Markkanen at this point given his decreased role in the rotation down the stretch during the regular season.

Some of the previous big pieces in the Bulls’ young core were pushed out by the new coaching staff and front office this year. That includes the likes of third-year center Wendell Carter Jr., point guard Kris Dunn, small forward Chandler Hutchison, center Daniel Gafford, and Markkanen. WCJ, Dunn, and Gafford were all either traded or let go without an offer within the past eight months. Markkanen could be the next to go.

It looks like the end of the road is near for the Chicago Bulls with PF Lauri Markkanen

Markkanen is one of the few Bulls players that were a part of the previous young core that is still technically with the team at this moment. For the first time in his career thus far, Markkanen could wind up testing the free agent market. And he would enter as a restricted free agent this summer for other teams to try and top his offer sheet.

If, for some reason, the asking price on Markkanen stays low, then maybe there’s a chance that the Bulls bring him back ahead of next season. But the chances of that happening are very slim. This could be the opportunity that the Bulls are looking for to continue to add depth that fits better with head coach Billy Donovan with the frontcourt unit.

With that in mind, here’s a look at four forwards that could be better fitted with the Bulls ahead of next season than Markkanen.