NEWSLETTER
The Dallas Mavericks have joined the New Orleans Pelicans among teams with an active interest in Lauri Markkanen, according to Marc Stein.
The franchise has an $11 million trade exception they could use to add Markkanen without having to dump any extra assets. The issue, however, remains the same: Markkanen wants more money.
Sign-and-trade via TPE is Dallas' most feasible path to a deal since Chicago would not have to take back any salary. But Markkanen is seeking a richer deal than the Mavs can offer that way and can make $9M just by playing next season out as a Bull and becoming an unrestricted FA. https://t.co/zjHTfpSEW7
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 10, 2021
Markkanen was reportedly one of the original pieces involved in the Bulls’ sign-and-trade with the San Antonio Spurs for DeMar DeRozan. However, Markkanen’s asking price in the deal was reportedly too high for the Spurs to continue negotiations down that path. The Charlotte Hornets also expressed interest in the big man but went on to ink wing Kelly Oubre to a two-year deal. One has to wonder if they also decided to pivot due to Markkanen’s demands.
With cap space practically non-existent in the market, Markkanen is going to have to find a new home via sign-and-trade. With that being the case, the Bulls hold all the cards, and this is why it did not come as a huge surprise when we learned the front office wants a first-round pick in any sign-and-trade package. Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley have time to play hardball, especially since it seems Markkanen desperately wants to avoid accepting the team’s $9 million qualifying offer to play one more season in Chicago.
The Bulls and possible suitors could feel like it is only a matter of time before Markkanen finally drops his asking price, as he recently told a Finnish reporter he prefers a “fresh start.”
Dallas, particularly, could have reason to believe Markkanen would be open to possibly signing a less expensive, short-term deal. Why? Well, in May, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Markkanen liked the idea of joining the Mavericks before next season.
The problem is that Markkanen has also said he views himself as a starter in this league. With Kristaps Prozingis still in Dallas, the opportunity for Markkanen to play the kind of role he envisions isn’t there. But this might have to be another thing on which he finally budges.
Dennis Schroder also tried to play it tough this summer, reportedly turning down an extension earlier this season from the Lakers for four-year $84 million in the pursuit of a $100+ million contract. On Tuesday, it was announced that Schroder was offered a one-year deal to team up with the Celtics for … $5.9 million.
Markkanen will not hit as low as Schroder thanks to the $9 million qualifying offer on the table (unless the Bulls take it away). But returning to Chicago to play 22 minutes off the bench is likely not going to significantly improve his value before the next offseason, which means he might be best-suited grabbing whatever money he can right now.
More on Markkanen’s situation below:
Update on Lauri Markkanen: Market Moving Slowly, Interested Teams, Expected Price Tag, Bulls Playing it Wisely, Morehttps://t.co/xSa8yK3Hz6
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 10, 2021
