Lauri Markkanen’s fit in the Bulls’ offense is the biggest question facing the franchise, Mark Schanowski of NBC Sports Chicago writes. The organization must figure out if he can become a consistent 20-point, 10-rebound player. There will probably be little roster turnover but the organization is likely to allow point guard Kris Dunn to walk. The Bulls would have to give Dunn a $7.1MM qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent but they are already deep at point guard.
We have more Eastern Conference news:
- Swingman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk at minimum established himself as a solid rotation player with the potential to be a key piece for the Pistons, according to Keith Langlois of the team’s website. Mykhailiuk doused the perception that he’s just a 3-point shooter by displaying his offensive versatility this season, including times when he functioned as a primary ballhandler. The team holds a $1.66MM option on Mykhailiuk’s contract for next season and there is little question that they’ll exercise it, Langlois adds.
- The Pistons will have a top-10 draft pick and they’ve been buried in film study during the hiatus, Rod Beard of the Detroit News writes. Detroit had the fifth-worst record when play was halted. “The whole league is watching video,” senior advisor Ed Stefanski said. “We’ve seen some (of the top prospects). Everyone has a bank of information on players, so we’re all in the same boat.”
- Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is continuing his rehab from a severe knee sprain, even though the team’s practice facility is shuttered, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic details. Isaac, who suffered the injury at the beginning of the calendar year, is following a workout program designed by the team’s training staff from his home. “They’ve got a detailed layout of everything that I’ve got to do,” he said. “They send it to me and I get it done. But it works. I like it that way. I know what I’ve got to do each day, and I put some music on and I knock it out.”
I know a few people inside the Bulls organization and everyone is in complete agreement that Markkanen is terribly home sick. Bulls have been trying to keep this under wraps but there is real concern he wants to return to Finland.
Anyone would be home sick if it had to live & play for such a god awful team like the Bulls, the answer is trade him or make him “the man”, ahead of ZLV, then all will be fine again.
Bulls have a good young scorer first Shooting Guard in Zach LaVine and they have 2 good options at PF in Wendell Carter and Lauri Markeneen everyone else outside these guys is probably available for trade.
Coby White was on a hot steak before the season closed but he hasn’t even broken into the starting line up on a team that has struggled to fill PG.
I think the bulls should draft a point guard (Tyrese Halliburton, Cole Anthony or Killian Hayes), keep White for now. Then Trade Lauri Markeneen to accomodate Carter Jr. Markeneen right now still would get you a solid return as teams look for young stretch 4’s.
Maybe you can get Markeneen for Jarrett Alllen. Allen and Carter would be nice defensively and Nets could then start Jordan at centre and Markeneen would be a great shooter to go with Durant and Joe Harris.
Of maybe you do Markeneen for Jackson Hayes and a protected first.
Bulls gets Hayes and Carter down low plus a first and Pelicans get a solid stretch shooter to help space the floor for Zion and Ingram.
Allen and Carter would be a HORRIBLE offense. Neither can shoot. You can’t play with two guys on the court that are useless offensively 8+ feet from the basket. Get real!
Markannen to the Wolves for Jarret Culver?
They already have LaVine at SG and Wolves probably need defenders not shooters.
Maybe Markeneen for Miles Bridges
LOL! The Bulls have ONE starting quality PG on the roster: Coby White. That’s it. Arch and Shaq Harrison are not starters and not bench players on a top 10 NBA team. Lavine’s position is SG. They aren’t deep at PG at all. Not saying they need to resign Dunn. Not at all. But let’s be real: their bench needs upgrades.
Dunn has played the song well. I think he is a perfect 6 or 7 guy. His Defense is outstanding. The Bulls need organizational help more than players.