Teams that offer the best situations for Chicago Bulls PF Lauri Markkanen: New Orleans Pelicans
A looming possibility for the Bulls to form a sign-and-trade deal since the trade deadline existed with the likes of the New Orleans Pelicans. With David Griffin continually trying to build a contender with a foundation around the star forward duo of Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, there will be an option for the Bulls to try to get a deal done here.
But that is just one reason why the Pelicans could be a viable destination for Markkanen this summer.
The other is that the Pelicans have a need for a stretch big man that can help space the floor along with Ingram and Zion. The former Duke Blue Devils superstar Zion isn’t much of a threat from beyond the arc. And while Ingram is generally a good three-point shooter, he can’t be the only go-to option in that regard for this starting unit.
Where the Bulls could find a sign-and-trade target that could create a solid player swap for these two teams is the two-way 23-year-old point guard Lonzo Ball. If the Bulls could find a way to seal the deal with the Pelicans to send Markkanen off to NOLA in order to find their point guard of the future in Lonzo, that could be a move that works out well for all parties involved.
Although, a Lonzo-Lauri player swap would likely need another piece involved to get this deal done with the Pelicans.
Moreover, the Pelicans are probably going to have a rotation that looks a lot different heading into next season. But it’s already clear that the Pelicans need to give new head coach Willie Green more weapons that are capable shooters from the outside. And Markkanen could give them just that.
Markkanen would be a good piece for the Pelicans that plays well off of the likes of center Jaxson Hayes, guard Eric Bledsoe, and the star forward duo of Ingram and Williamson.