Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen‘s elbow injury will keep him sidelined longer than originally expected, according to The Associated Press. Markkanen was originally expected to miss six to eight weeks with a high-grade lateral elbow sprain he suffered at the start of training camp.
The Finnish center’s return will likely occur nine to 11 weeks after the initial injury, per Bulls head coach Fred Hoiberg. Markkanen is reportedly still in pain and not shooting from long range and will not return until he’s “100%.”
Entering his sophomore season, Markkanen was looking to build off a solid rookie campaign in which he averaged 15.2 PPG and 7.5 RPG in 29.7 MPG while appearing in 68 games. The 7-footer was the seventh overall pick in the 2017 draft.
After his initial diagnosis, Markkanen expressed optimism about his return and improving his game even while he’s sidelined.
“It’s a minor setback,” he said. “I’m just ready to get back to work. Hopefully, I can be even a little better than I am right now. You can always improve other things. I know my shot is going to be there. I’m not worried about that. Now I can work on my lefty a little bit.”
Without Markkanen and several others, the Bulls are a disappointing 4-10 after Monday’s loss to the Mavericks.
Trade Jabari Parker away please, Lauri and Wendell will be the 4-5 for the next 10 years period. Send Parker and Dunn to Phoenix for Josh Jackson. Parker can play the 4 alongside Ayton and they get Dunn to run point alongside Booker.
The Bulls get a much needed lift at small-forward.
Parker and Dunn for Josh Jackson you’re delusional
Why? It’s a fair trade I think, Josh Jackson is a 5th pick just thought Phoenix is better off with Warren and Bridges at SF going into the future.
no way…dunn is bulls future PG and he is bulls best defender. its ok trade parker for mikal bridges.bulls need a player who can play D
For Mikal? No way.
Jabari and Dunn for Jackson doesn’t line up financially.
You can’t be serious. 20M bloated 2019 team option is getting rejected by Bulls. The Good news? best type of option there is —Team option —even better than “partial guaranteed” Team options always $0 guaranteed, wow.
Can you say “Bye, Jabari”? Haha Jackson… You must be thinking of Bender.
It’s not 2k dude can’t just trade whoever.