Players who could be moved in a Lonzo Ball trade with the Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen
That recent report from Winfield of the NY Daily News could hit the nail on the head with who either the Hornets or Pelicans could want in a three-team sign-and-trade deal involving the movement of Lonzo. There’s a decent fit that could be had for both the Hornets and Pelicans for fourth-year power forward and restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen.
What is known is that it is likely best for Markkanen to find himself a change of scenery this offseason. While the production was there at times for Markkanen, and he really found his shooting stroke from deep last season, the Bulls don’t look to be the best fit for him moving forward. It is also clear that the Bulls wouldn’t want to keep Markkanen in the starting five.
Also, given the price tag that it might take for the Bulls to sign Lonzo if this sign-and-trade deal does play out at some point this week, there might not be an ability for the front office to even think about re-signing Markkanen. Likely to cost around at least $15 million in average annual value this summer, Markkanen could be too expensive for the Bulls when it’s all said and done.
Moreover, Markkanen could be a nice boost to a thin Hornets frontcourt that is building around a very promising backcourt. Markkanen could also play well off the space he could get with LaMelo Ball commanding the floor as the Hornets point guard.
I would presume that Markkanen would probably fall to the Hornets if he is moved in this reported and discussed sign-and-trade deal. There is a chance that the Pelicans would want to add him, just not with the reported construction of this three-team trade.