Lauri Markkanen has played a diminished role since the Bulls overhauled their roster at the trade deadline, but he was on the court for the closing minutes of Saturday’s win over the Cavaliers, writes K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. Markkanen poured in 16 points, ending a five-game stretch of single-digit scoring, as Chicago picked up an important victory in the race for a play-in game.
Markkanen’s status is being closely watched ahead of his impeding restricted free agency this summer. He has played 21 minutes or fewer six times since the trade deadline and was limited to 11 total shots over three games last week.
“It’s a new role. I think a lot of guys have sacrificed. I’m not going to do anything that jeopardizes the team. I’m going to play my role as well as I can,” Markkanen said. “… I try to stay as positive as I can. But then it’s not really affecting me off the court. At the end of the day when I go home to my family, it’s all good. I wasn’t losing my sleep over it. It was frustrating to lose (my starting job), not being out there and closing out games. But I always say, control what you can control. That’s what I’m trying to do.”
There’s more from Chicago:
- Newly-acquired center Daniel Theis will also be a free agent this summer, and coach Billy Donovan hopes the Bulls can find a way to keep him, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. Donovan added that executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley share his opinion on Theis. “With free agency coming up and guys having the opportunity to make their own decisions, I understand that,” Donovan said. “But he’s someone we really like a lot and feel like could be somebody that could be really good for us going forward.’’
- Coby White, Tomáš Satoranský, Thaddeus Young, Al-Farouq Aminu and Markkanen are the five players most likely to be traded as Chicago continues to remake its roster, contends Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. Aminu will make $10MM next season, Mayberry adds, and his contract could be useful for salary matching.
- Zach LaVine‘s absence due to health and safety protocols will give other players a chance to redefine their roles, Johnson writes in a separate story.
Bulls have 2 rookie contracts next year
Williams and White
It’s not easy to manage salary if they trade White for a regular contract
3 other available players have not much value offseason
5 rebounds in 27 mpg is pretty substandard for a guy who’s 7 feet. Not sure how much value he’s gonna have on the market if he doesn’t create offense, play great D, or rebound – unless he starts shooting above 40% on 3s
Right now he’s a taller, less mobile, less accurate JJ Redick
Lauri
3pt 39%
Assist per game 1
Rebound per game 5.5
Lauri
real value 3 years $30 million
market value 3 years $50 million
If plays for a bad team
John Collins
18 and 8
3pt 38%
Real value $90 million
Market value $130 million
Contract will be based on market value
Many fans are trying to pay players real value
It’s just wrong
and you couldn’t be more wrong either on your numbers.
He is not rebounding well which tests his claim of being over his moods. Is hitting 39%3 though. Guy has to move. I got the impression a couple years ago that he wanted to execute certain plans but somehow was blocked from doing so and was rankled, and that could cause giving up and hanging around the perimeter.
Just quibbling, 5.5 rounds up to 6, but I appreciate scrapping numbers with decimals in general.
They should trade Markkanen to Washington since Westbrick played with bigs in OKC who allowed him to pad his stats and average triple-doubles.
I read a story that Pops and Spurs were looking at Markkanen. Hope it’s true. Best thing that could happen to Markkanen. Bulls look to me like they are going in wrong direction. Never liked Donovan. I wish them the best. It doesn’t look as an outsider.
Who do the Bulls think White, Sato, Young, and Aminu are going to turn into?
Markkanen is RFA, but he’s not John Collins, so idk if the Bulls are a lock to match any offer and still be able to bank on trading him for value.
I watch last game and Thies is the worst outside shooter but that didn’t stop him I was taught you miss first five you don’t shot till you get closer to the rim or free throws