Most of the prominent free agents this summer have already been signed, but restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen remains in limbo.
The Bulls forward has been seeking a big offer sheet but that hasn’t come to fruition. With most teams having already eaten up their cap space, it’s unlikely to occur.
Markkanen could still be part of a sign-and-trade but there are complications. Teams such as the Pelicans, Mavericks, Timberwolves and Celtics have been mentioned as potential destinations with the first two having the most interest.
The NBA’s investigation into the Lonzo Ball sign-and-trade makes it unlikely Chicago would pursue another sign-and-trade until the league completes its probe. The Bulls are also reportedly driving a hard bargain. They want a first-round pick in return and don’t want to take on a long-term contract. Some of Markkanen’s reported suitors can absorb his contract in a traded player exception, depending upon the starting salary Markkanen would accept.
The main alternative for Markkanen would be to sign his $9MM qualifying offer, which would allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Markkanen would likely be a second-unit player behind 2020 lottery pick Patrick Williams if he returns to Chicago.
This leads to our question of the day: Where do you think restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen will wind up this coming season?
Please take to the comments section to voice your opinion. We look forward to your input.
Bulls
Why didn’t the Knicks try to sign him I wonder? This is the first free agency in a while they didn’t go nuts on signing Pfs and this one actually fills a need. Although Thibs never seems to use stretch bigs
Probably because they have Randle and Toppin at PF. Mark would be a waste, not to mention his defense and rebounding is horrendous, which is also why no one has offered him anything.
Thins would make him learn Defense or play in Europe somewhere
Thibs ☝️
Dallas
Spurs in sign and trade for Thad young and 3 second round picks
Yes please, correct the wrongs made in the first sign and trade and bring Thadgic back to Chicago.
Once the NBA finish with their probe Markkanen will end up a New Orleans Pelican. If he could stretch the floor he would be a perfect fit to play with Zion and BI. And if Griff don’t want this offseason to go down as another failure he better have at least one more move to make.
So defense would be ignored and Zion would play center. Got it.
That would be stupid because we do have 3 centers on the roster unless Coach Green is rolling with a smallball lineup then yes Zion can play the 5. And you do know we are in the era of positionless basketball? And trust me the way Coach Green runs his team defense won’t be an issue for this upcoming season.
Don’t think the Pelicans are in the mix unless they are willing to pay more than any other team because Gar Foreman (Pelican’s new advisor) is the rat that called for an investigation with the Lonzo Ball signing. That team is imploding and Zion will be leaving that sinking ship soon too.
There has been suggestion in the Dallas media that Mavs and Bulls may be waiting for the Moses Brown timetable to expire on when he can be dealt again. Mavs can fit Markannen in with their trade exception, so matching salary is not an issue.
I can also see someone like Tyrell Terry and/or Josh Green going the other way which would be a small manageable salary with some upside. Or a cheap vet like Trey Burke.
The Bulls are backed into a corner. They either get what they can for LM now or let him play out the season disgruntled on an accepted QO and get nothing for him when he walks. I personally think Bulls want Kleber or a package like I mentioned above, and Mavs are offering Powell, as they have way too many bigs.
Somebody will cave, but these two teams will be the ones involved in a trade if one is going to happen.
The Bulls are holding ALL the cards. They backed Lauri into a corner. Bulls would not be upset with Lauri coming back at $9MM and hold all the leverage. Bulls would get cap space with him walking as a free agent next season and that cap space is arguably going to be more valuable to them than a rotation piece.
Well said. The Bulls are smart to wait and see what the market for LM is. Three years ago, the Bulls took the same approach with LaVine and signed LaVine to a four year $78 million contract, obviously a good contract for the Bulls.
A one year contract for $9 million for LM. LM does have unique talent, is still young and is now a veteran player. A good situation for the Bulls.
Sign the qualifying offer, protect yourself for now
Lauri for Kleber and two 2’s
Bulls have totally messed up Markkanen. He could of brought back good value. Now someone will get him cheap and reap the rewards. Mavs should go after him. Mavs get him they can move KP for whatever.
I want you to know I made an account just because this was so unbelievably stupid. You don’t know what you’re talking about. The Bulls had very little to do with anything Lauri related. He was/is a RESTRICTED FREE AGENT. We could have lost him for absolutely nothing if a team decided to pay him. Money ran out ..now he NEEDS us to do a sign and trade… Meaning we gained control. Now we get something in return. Not only that…Lauri has to take a contract which is about HALF of what he was asking for…and we decide where he goes. He could have been out the door already if he wasn’t asking for more money than teams were willing to pay. Now we can bring him back for a DISCOUNT whether he wants to play for us or not. We can bring him back and wait until the trade deadline to move him… We don’t need to trade him NOW. I don’t understand how any idiot could possibly think he has all the control now. We don’t even need him to play!! We can bring him back and give him 0 effing minutes…and wait for an injury on another team or for a championship contending team to beef up their roster at the deadline by adding floor spacing. The only thing Lauri can do now to get any control back is to threaten to play overseas.
We would have had to match any offer from another team. Had he asked for like $15 million…we wouldn’t have matched. But now he’s crawling back to us for our qualifying offer.
Meanwhile Zach is not messed p I with the same coaches and FO, classic Al mumbling
Why don’t the Thunder make themselves a cap space team, renounce all their exceptions and offer Lauri a four-year, $60M deal starting at $17M that declines 5% per year? Lauri could have a big role and improve his market value a bit on a bad Thunder team and then he’d be less expensive as the salary cap rises, making him a good trade asset.
Because Lauri sucks.
LM has unique talent and is still young. But doubt any team will be willing to offer a $60 million 4 year guaranteed contract to LM.
He should sign a 1yr offer sheet with a no trade clause. The Bulls wouldn’t match, as they’d get no return for him.
Nobody has cap space to offer any contract to Lauri. He has to fit into an exception or be moved in a trade. He has an offer of 9.5 mil from the Bulls for one year. If he signs it, then he is set.
Lauri to Atl for Gallinari & a protected 2023 1st.. 3yr $40-45M deal, mutual option on the 3rd yr
Rather have Gallo! Forget the first.
Bulls possibly then traded during the season.
This is correct sir.
Players on QO can veto trades