The Chicago Bulls have been extremely active in this offseason, making several moves which, at least on paper, looks to have elevated the team into at least, serious playoff contention. They have addressed their need at the point guard position by adding Lonzo Ball in a sign-and-trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, completed another such deal to bring in all-star swingman DeMar DeRozan, and signed former Lakers two-way spark plug and fan favourite, Alex Caruso.
These moves, as well as the Nikola Vucevic trade are a clear indication that the new management regime led by President of Basketball Operation Arturas Karnisovas and GM Marc Eversley are ready to move on the missteps of the past front office group.
Apparently the same can be said of at least one player that is a holdover from that time-Lauri Markkanen.
According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports the four-year forward is ready to put his time in Chicago in the rear view mirror, saying he “wants a fresh start..somewhere else.”
Markkanen, was taken 7th overall in 2017 as the pick that came from the Jimmy Butler trade.
He had a solid rookie campaign in which he stated all 68 games that he appeared in, posting 15.2 point, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists. He seemed to progress a little more in his second season, increasing his numbers to 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists, but seemed to be a casualty of head coach’s Jim Boylan’s overall bungling of things in Chicago, something from which he has yet to recover from, even losing his starting position this past season, as he only saw starts in 26 of the 51 games he appeared in.
Markkanen is still young and at just 23 has still to reach the potential that he seemed on the path to just two seasons ago. His height and shooting ability, he shot 40% from three last year and is a career 36.6% from downtown.
