NEWSLETTER
It’s Instagram Official: Lauri Markkanen and the Chicago Bulls have broken up.
The 2017 No. 7-overall draft pick – a player who was considered a cornerstone to the team’s rebuild after opting not to pay Jimmy Butler – posted on Instagram Sunday morning to thank the organization and fans for the first four seasons of his pro career. Things surely did not end on the best note. After all, a benching and “fresh start” demand is not the most cordial way for things to fizzle out. But, hey, it was not all bad right!?
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• The first two seasons of the Markkanen experience – when our naive minds were in “trust the process” mode – were pretty damn bright. Not only did the big man crack All-Rookie First Team, but he reached 100 3-pointers faster than any player in history. Oh, and remember that dunk on Enes Kanter and Madison Square Garden? That was a cool thing!
• The second year of his career was also plenty encouraging. He averaged a near double-double with 18.7 points and 9.0 rebounds, and he also got to the line for a career-high 3.8 free-throw attempts (shot a career-high 87 percent on those free-throws, as well). However, as the dynamics continued to change behind the scenes and Zach LaVine demanded more of the offense’s attention (we also can not forget injuries), Markkanen began to regress in almost every statistical category. And, unfortunately, it’s this backend of his Bulls’ career that will likely be remembered most by fans.
• Still, the big man seems to be in good and realistic spirits about where things ended in the Windy City. I’m sure the $67 million he got in Cleveland is part of the reason why, but I was geniunely content with everything he told NBC Sports Chicago’s K.C. Johnson in an exit interview.
“The last couple years have been mentally pretty tough. I’ve grown as a person because of that so I wouldn’t change it. I’ve learned a lot,” Markkanen told Johnson. “But I just felt like I need to get back to the old me and how I know I can play the game. I think this is a good opportunity for me to do that.
…
I think obviously I’m most disappointed we didn’t make the postseason one time when I was there. We tried our best obviously. That’s what we’re paid to do. It didn’t work out. I think I had good moments as a player, and I had some inconsistencies. But I’m looking ahead.”
• Ditto on that disappointment. Cavaliers general manager Kolby Altman also spoke about the Markkanen aquistion, one that felt a bit surprising considering the team invested $100 million in Jarrett Allen and a No. 3-overall pick in Evan Mobley to build their future frontcourt. Altman said in the Cavaliers press release that he believes Markkanen’s best basketball is ahead of him, which I think is totally fair. What might not be totally fair is the belief that Markkanen “has a proven ability to play multiple positions.” He played 83 percent of minutes at the power forward position last season. The 31 percent of his minutes he saw at center in 2019-20 was the most he ever saw outside playing four over his four seasons in the league. Also, I’m not sure Markkanen proved anything of long-term value over his weird couple of minutes at the small forward position toward the end of this past season. If anything, Markkanen’s unproven ability to slide comfortably underneath the basket and protect the rim has always been something I considered a weakness. Maybe a spark in a new city changes all of that, though!
“As a pure, on-paper move, there’s nothing not to like about the deal.”@CavsJoeG breaks down yesterday’s three-team deal to bring young @MarkkanenLauri into the fold.
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) August 29, 2021
• Also, I guess a guy like Kevin Love may not be the worst on-court mentor.
Five-time All-Star Kevin Love has no interest in discussing a contract buyout on the two-years, $60M left on his Cleveland Cavaliers deal, agent Jeff Schwartz of @excelbasketball tells ESPN. Story: https://t.co/ye4oNqRM2W
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 28, 2021
• Seeing the deal offically tweeted out makes me love it even more.
OFFICIAL. pic.twitter.com/zvkIBKTW5N
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 28, 2021
• Seriously, I can not believe this front office was able to add two picks AND a probable rotation player with this Markkanen move. With almost each trade/signing thus far, Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley make me feel more confident in their ability to add depth and play their cards right.
What the Bulls Got in Derrick Jones Jr.https://t.co/ZGVoYvTdDL
— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) August 28, 2021
• “Did someone say cash considerations!?” – Jerry Reinsdorf (probably)
The Rockets are paying the Bulls $1.1 million for the 8/7/21 Daniel Theis sign-and-trade. Often a team losing a FA will send considerations out to generate a trade exception, but we have the opposite here ( since the Rockets were over the cap, needed a S&T) – $5 mil TPE for Theis
— Eric Pincus (@EricPincus) August 28, 2021
• The old Lakers get that much older!
Rondo will clear waivers on Monday and will likely be signed to fill the final available roster spot with the Lakers, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/fLABLEls3Q
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 28, 2021
