Lauri Markkanen Presents an Incredibly Difficult and Pressing Decision for the Bulls Front Office

Since December 23rd, I’ve had a tweet saved in my drafts. The caption “Lauri Markkanen in the locker room” sits right above that famous video of a high school football player yelling, “I THINK I GOT MY SWAGGER BACK.”

Despite three solid games to start the season, I hesitated to tweet it out thanks to the Bulls three-game losing streak. Then, I considered pressing send after his 29-point performance (and the Bulls 16-point win) over the Dallas Mavericks. But, once again, I chose to wait. He went on to post back-to-back 30-point games in January, and I just completely forgot to take advantage of the opportunity after both games. But no big deal. Surely, there would be other chances, right? After all, Markkanen was playing some of his best basketball since the 2018-19 season. He was finally starting to make the most out of his contract year. Wrong.

On February 5th, Markkanen would exit the Bulls 123-119 loss to the Orlando Magic with a shoulder injury. And he’s only now eyeing a return. But for as thrilled we are about his return, playing just 14 of 34 games to start his fourth-year in the NBA is not what anyone wanted to see, especially this front office.

Markkanen’s camp and the Bulls front office failed to reach an extension this offseason, thus sending him toward restricted free agency this summer. The two sides reportedly never even came close to a deal. In fact, NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson reported back in December that the two were $4 million apart in just the first year of the contract alone. Markkanen’s team was clearly trying to sell the Bulls on his future potential, while the new front office was trying to avoid overpaying for a player who just had a career-worst season. Markkanen, then, entered the year knowing he had to prove he was worth a big pay raise, and while his numbers have trended in a much better direction so far, I have to imagine it hasn’t come during a sample size that provides any sort of comfort to this front office.

Indeed, Markkanen has averaged 19.1 points and 6.1 rebounds over his 14 games played this season. He is shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 39.6 percent from behind the arc. Even more encouraging, however, is his newfound efficiency around the rim. The big man is finishing 78 percent of his shots inside, which places him in the 88th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. For reference, Markkanen had never shot better than 65 percent over his first three seasons in the league. What this tells us is that Markkanen has not only been more focused on using his crafty seven-foot frame to attack opposing defenses but that he is doing it successfully. But again, this is over 14 games.

There is no question that those numbers are positive, but we do have to factor in the aforementioned sample size and question what this front office deems positive enough. The reason I say that is because the NBA trade deadline is a little over two weeks away. Only 10 games separate this front office from having to make some tough decisions, and we have to wonder if Markkanen has done enough to justify not being one of those tough decisions.

We should have no questions that other teams are going to be interested in Markkanen. He is a 23-year-old who still possesses a physical frame and an undeniably intriguing skillset. If a team can tap into his full potential, they could very well have an All-Star on their hands. Arturas Karnisovas and Co. have to be the first to decide whether that full potential is obtainable, though. Not to mention, how much money (and roster space (and time)) they should invest toward marking that happen.

I’m not sure what that number should be, and I doubt the front office knows either. Finding that range was probably an enormous goal for Karnisovas heading into this season. Unfortunately, he probably also expected to have a better idea by the trade deadline – (a.k.a. the last opportunity to get something in return for Markkanen if the plan is not to extend him).

And that is why I think these next 10 games could hold a lot of weight for The Finnisher. While I ultimately don’t believe the Bulls would look to trade him (or that a 10+14 game sample would be enough to TOTALLY convince AKME one way or the other), we have to at least consider the possibility given the status of his contract. We also shouldn’t completely ignore the fact that the Bulls went 8-5 in his absence. Does that tell me the Bulls are a better team without him? No. But could a case be made that they don’t need him for a potential playoff push? Sure.

Basically, this post is just me working through a thought experiment. Razor scooter to my shin and I don’t see Markkanen going anywhere. After all, Karnisovas did say in his pre-All-Star bream media session that he “can’t wait” for Markkanen to return to the floor and “help this team win games” (h/t NBC Sports Chicago) …

… At the same time, Karnisovas is also the one who said he would like for Markkanen to be a part of the organization for the long-haul, and he would make every effort to get an extension done. I’m not calling him a liar, I’m just pointing out that things can change, especially when a deadline approaches.

written by

Elias Schuster is the Lead Chicago Bulls writer at Bleacher Nation. He started with BN full-time in 2019 immediately after graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign with a degree in Journalism (yes, he started with the Jim Boylen Era). Since joining, Elias has been the driving force behind Bulls and NBA content for both the site and social accounts. You can follow him on Twitter/X @Schuster_Elias.

more bulls news

Enhanced Box Score: Bulls 125, Pacers 99 – March 27, 2024

I got to be honest, I'm even more upset about the Washington Wizards' loss. If the Chicago Bulls played like they did tonight, they would have beaten that depleted Wizards team by 40. This was a locked-in group from the...

Javonte Green Makes Bulls Return… Immediately Does Awesome Stuff

Javonte Green has officially made his Chicago Bulls debut ... again. The 30-year-old signed with the organization via a 10-day hardship deal on March 22. Injuries to Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, Patrick Williams, and Julian Phillips paved the way for...

WATCH: Alex Caruso Snatches Rookie Ben Sheppard’s Ankles

Alex Caruso will always be known for his defense capabilities, but he's showing a lot more than that this season. The veteran guard is averaging double-digit points for the first time in his career. A big part of that has...

Draymond Green Ejected Less Than 4 Minutes Into Game Against Orlando

Draymond Green was at it again on Wednesday night. Out East to take on the Orlando Magic, the Golden State Warriors watched Paolo Banchero bulldoze Andrew Wiggins to the rim early in the first quarter. As Banchero high-fived his teammates...

Pre-Gamin’: Indiana Pacers at Chicago Bulls (7:00 CT), Projected Lineups, How to Watch, More

Everything was awful on Tuesday. Be Better. https://twitter.com/chicagobulls/status/1772971933161705610?s=20 Game Info Indiana Pacers (41-32) at Chicago Bulls (34-38) – 7:00 p.m. CT on NBC Sports Chicago (TV) and 670 The Score (Radio) Projected Starting Lineups Chicago Bulls Coby White Alex Caruso Ayo Dosunmu...

Around the Association: Caitlin Clark Gets Big(3) Offer, Knicks Getting Help, Lakers OT Thriller, More

It's hard to believe we have less than three weeks remaining in the NBA's regular season, and we should be in for some real drama down the stretch. The Knicks have plenty to play for in their remaining 11 games...

WHOA: NCAA Looking to Ban Prop Betting on All College Athletes

As the NCAA men's basketball tournament gears up for the Sweet Sixteen, the college sports world received some big news. On Wednesday morning, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker wants to officially ban prop betting on college...

NBA Playoffs Update: Several Races Are Still Undecided

The NBA season is winding down. We have some awesome races for the NBA Playoffs to keep an eye on in the final 2+ weeks of the season. The top seed in the West is still up for grabs in...

Alex Caruso’s Status in Question for Matchup with Pacers

The Chicago Bulls might be without their best defensive player against the best offensive team in the NBA. Not great! The latest injury report lists Alex Caruso as "questionable" for Wednesday night's meeting with the Indiana Pacers. Caruso has been...

Needing a Win, One More with the Pacers, Alex Caruso Guards Everyone, and Other Bulls Bullets

*scratches long, disheveled beard and grabs a piece of chalk* *crosses out another game on the cave wall* *sits back on ground, grabs knees, rocks back and forth* Nine more games. Nine more games. Nine more games. Look, I want...

Latest News

Celtics vs. Hawks Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM...

Celtics vs. Hawks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The Atlanta Hawks (33-39) are big, 17.5-point underdogs as they attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Boston Celtics (57-15) on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at State Farm Arena. The contest airs at 7:30 PM...

Bucks vs. Pelicans Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The New Orleans Pelicans (44-28) are only 2-point underdogs against the Milwaukee Bucks (46-26) at Smoothie King Center on Thursday, March 28, 2024. The game begins at 8:00 PM ET on NBA. The matchup's point total is 223.If you are...

How to Watch Indiana State Sycamores vs. Utah Utes: Live Stream or on TV

The Indiana State Sycamores (31-6) will attempt to build on a three-game winning streak when they host the Utah Utes (22-14) on April 2, 2024. The Utes have also won three games in a row.Indiana State won its most recent...

How to Watch Seton Hall Pirates vs. Georgia Bulldogs: Live Stream or on TV

The Seton Hall Pirates (23-12) will attempt to extend a three-game win streak when they host the Georgia Bulldogs (20-16) on April 2, 2024. The Bulldogs have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Seton Hall beat...

Diamondbacks vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks, led by Corbin Carroll, take on Nolan Jones and the Colorado Rockies in their first game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV...

Mariners vs. Red Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Seattle Mariners, led by Julio Rodriguez, square off against Rafael Devers and the Boston Red Sox in their opening game of the season, at 10:10 PM ET on Thursday.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming...

Guardians vs. Athletics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

In their season opener on Thursday, Jose Ramirez and the Cleveland Guardians face Brent Rooker and the Oakland Athletics, with first pitch scheduled for 10:07 PM ET at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.The article below will give you everything you need to...

Senators vs. Blackhawks Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Thursday, March 28, 2024

The bookmakers give the edge to the Ottawa Senators on home ice (-198) over the Chicago Blackhawks (+164) when they face off on Thursday, March 28 at 7:00 PM ET.Senators vs. Blackhawks Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Senators (-198)Underdog: Blackhawks (+164)Total: 6.5Best...

Wrigley Field is Gonna Be Lit This Year (As in New Colored Lights!)

Last year, the Cubs started using their new LED outfield lights to do a little dancing display during 'Go Cubs Go,' lighting along with the song and throwing in a W. It was very fun and I liked it. This...

more bulls news