Lauri Markkanen Discussion Thread

[TSS]

I think Bulls will just let Lauri walk - how they are handling him now does not make any sense otherwise. So normal FA signing for Heat.

I think heat has a lot of cap expiring after this season and might have room to add Lauri.

[ZOMG]

I think Bulls will just let Lauri walk - how they are handling him now does not make any sense otherwise. So normal FA signing for Heat.

I think heat has a lot of cap expiring after this season and might have room to add Lauri.

If the Bulls KNOW they're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

[TSS]

My rationale is they know they let Lauri walk and since he is not in next year plans they play folks that are.
It does not play well with the "win now" plan but neither does multiple other things they do.

[E-DC]

That lineup I keep mentioning is now a +75.3 per 100 possessions. When it cracks the +100 mark I'm breaking out the champagne. After listening to Donovan's "not being featured" quote I just think this is too funny. I'm just calling it like it is.

[Pentele]

I think it is safe to say by now that marginalizing Lauri has been an utter failure. The team has not improved in any meaningful way despite adding better players. The ball movement by the starters has stagnated if not completely halted. In that regard, I do not know if the original issue even was with Markkanen, but whatever it was, it surely has not gotten any better with Vuc. At this point the blame has to rest on the coaching staff. I do not understand, for instance, why they do not start Theis and let Thad come from the bench with the minutes that he is capable of playing effectively. You do not have to play Lauri as a starter if he is not in the team's long term plans but try to make the rotations to work at least. I have said it before, but Donovan seems to be very stubborn in that he does not want to make pretty obvious adjustments to his schemes/rotations. Perhaps all coaches are stubborn (and should be), but by each day it starts to seem that there is something more to it. Is it pride? I hope not.

This is one of those situations that nobody is going to look good afterwards. Luckily for Markkanen, he will be out of this dysfunctional team the next off season.

[WindyCityBorn]

It's easy to tell Lauri's checked out. Probably taking it easy so he doesn't get injured again.

Also, it's probably an FU to the team. He's showing that his scoring was valuable to the team. It isn't easily replaceable production.

Cool. Have fun cheering for whoever next season. It won’t be Miami. Maybe Sacramento.

Why not Heat? In my mind that is a perfect fit. Offensive fit is perfect, defensively they have Bam and Jimmy on as 5 and 3.
Is it a cap thing?
Apart from Heat, Charlotte or Blazers could be options.

Teams that don’t have much cap space. Pretty sure Portland will prioritize Powell as well so no go there. Unless he is getting like MLE money which is about his worth

[WindyCityBorn]

I think Bulls will just let Lauri walk - how they are handling him now does not make any sense otherwise. So normal FA signing for Heat.

I think heat has a lot of cap expiring after this season and might have room to add Lauri.

If the Bulls KNOW the're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

It’s definitely not a conspiracy. Maybe they just think he is worse fit/player than the 3 guys in front of him.

[Pentele]

I think Bulls will just let Lauri walk - how they are handling him now does not make any sense otherwise. So normal FA signing for Heat.

I think heat has a lot of cap expiring after this season and might have room to add Lauri.

If the Bulls KNOW the're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

It’s definitely not a conspiracy. Maybe they just think he is worse fit/player than the 3 guys in front of him.

I do not think it is conspiracy either. In general, stupidity is almost always a better explanation than there being some "evil plan". It is clear that Lauri has been relegated to the role of the fourth big in the rotation. But for Pete's sake, why are you not utilizing that fourth big in his true role, i.e., as an offensive player? Because he is not supposed to be "featured" in the offense? That's bush league.

[ATRAIN53]

Kid has just folded under the pressure here to be great.

He's talented, he can shoot the ball and he's got size.

He needs a mentor, an old savvy vet somewhere that can show him how to dominate in the NBA. He's got no tricks or edge.

Like if we could get Joakim Noah or maybe someone like a Rasheed Wallace (he's coaching HS basketball currently....) to tutor him for a week and tech him a few tricks and inject some attitude into him....

He's also a victim of the mid range game. If they let him take some of those long 2's instead of him always looking for the 3 - it would make a big difference for his confidence to hit a couple early, easy shots.

He can dunk the ball too if you set that up-
Couple early dunks might put a snarl on his face and get him going.

[sco]

If the Bulls KNOW the're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

It’s definitely not a conspiracy. Maybe they just think he is worse fit/player than the 3 guys in front of him.

I do not think it is conspiracy either. In general, stupidity is almost always a better explanation than there being some "evil plan". It is clear that Lauri has been relegated to the role of the fourth big in the rotation. But for Pete's sake, why are you not utilizing that fourth big in his true role, i.e., as an offensive player? Because he is not supposed to be "featured" in the offense? That's bush league.

I hope Lauri appreciates the support he has from fans like you guys. Seriously.

Look, we all agree that we want to win now because there is no tanking this season. I think it is correct that the Bulls have decided to take a path that likely doesn't include Lauri going forward. They added several new guys, who have had little time to build chemistry and learn the system, which likely requires extra in-game time. That has resulted in less time for Lauri, despite his better stats. I don't think there is any conspiracy against Lauri, I just think they are trying to make the new guys successful as possible this season and to help them assess what's needed for next season.

[Pentele]

It’s definitely not a conspiracy. Maybe they just think he is worse fit/player than the 3 guys in front of him.

I do not think it is conspiracy either. In general, stupidity is almost always a better explanation than there being some "evil plan". It is clear that Lauri has been relegated to the role of the fourth big in the rotation. But for Pete's sake, why are you not utilizing that fourth big in his true role, i.e., as an offensive player? Because he is not supposed to be "featured" in the offense? That's bush league.

I hope Lauri appreciates the support he has from fans like you guys. Seriously.

Look, we all agree that we want to win now because there is no tanking this season. I think it is correct that the Bulls have decided to take a path that likely doesn't include Lauri going forward. They added several new guys, who have had little time to build chemistry and learn the system, which likely requires extra in-game time. That has resulted in less time for Lauri, despite his better stats. I don't think there is any conspiracy against Lauri, I just think they are trying to make the new guys successful as possible this season and to help them assess what's needed for next season.

Yeah, but you know, I do understand that Lauri is not getting the minutes right now. What I do not understand is the Bulls shooting themselves in the foot by completely marginalizing Lauri. We may disagree about how much he could contribute to winning, but surely we agree that it is more than currently? And sure, let us pin that on Lauri, because it is all excuses, right? I hope people are ready to find a new whipping boy the next season (btw, Coby is a great candidate, and people do not probably care much even if he ended up playing fewer minutes). If the current trajectory holds, the FO is making trades to address the wrong issues (like loading the team with bigs who cannot play together when the primary defensive issue was the perimeter defense... even by Donovan's words) and the coach is continuing stubbornly with the schemes that the players are not capable of executing (see also previous). Maybe the next season is "win now" season as well? We surely are in for a treat.

I advocated trading for Vucevic even if I knew that Markkanen does not fit well with him. After the trade I said that it is now up to other players not named Zach or Vuc to fit around them, because that is what playing with two all stars requires. What I expected was that Donovan has a plan for these guys to play together, that now the Bulls can start firing on all cylinders. I did not expect this s*** show. We have to hold the coaching accountable as well. All of this is almost certain to lower Lauri's trade value, but I personally do not care much about that. And perhaps this is a good thing for him from the standpoint of player development: he can now completely focus on becoming a better defensive player for the rest of the season. Even if Lauri would not ever become the mythical FebruLauri, he is always going to be an efficient offensive player. Now is a good time to concentrate on other things given that the coaching staff has made it rather clear that nothing is expexted from him offensively.

[Wingy]

I've consistently hammered on Lauri's lack of improvement over the years, and I'm more than fine saying sayonara this offseason. Maybe it's the lack of WCJ to be the scapegoat, but I feel the pendulum has swung so far on the board - and the hyperbole of badness so great - that even I'm going to start defending Lauri (a little ).

We're crushing his value as a S&T asset if we truly believe he's not part of the future. He has all sort of warts that I don't like, but he's not as bad as his playing time, and current role suggests. But maybe that's the point? Maybe AK really does like him longer term, and is intentionally trying to depress his value so that we can resign him on a cheaper deal? Seems like that would have a good chance of failing regardless, and could have several other negative outcomes.

I suppose it's more about Vuc over Lauri, wanting Thad/Theis to pair w/Vuc for defensive purposes, and then too many good bigs in a league that doesn't really need them. I don't think there's a perfect solution, but seems like we could figure out some way to keep the Lauri asset afloat...whether he's S&T bait, or we hope to keep him. My immediate suggestion would be reducing some of Vuc/Thad minutes as relatively older dudes playing this compressed schedule.

[erlim]

Kid has just folded under the pressure here to be great.

He's talented, he can shoot the ball and he's got size.

He needs a mentor, an old savvy vet somewhere that can show him how to dominate in the NBA. He's got no tricks or edge.

Like if we could get Joakim Noah or maybe someone like a Rasheed Wallace (he's coaching HS basketball currently....) to tutor him for a week and tech him a few tricks and inject some attitude into him....

He's also a victim of the mid range game. If they let him take some of those long 2's instead of him always looking for the 3 - it would make a big difference for his confidence to hit a couple early, easy shots.

He can dunk the ball too if you set that up-
Couple early dunks might put a snarl on his face and get him going.

Thad, Temple, he’ll—-Vucevic are all there to give advice that Lauri hasn’t really seemed to take.

[sco]

I've consistently hammered on Lauri's lack of improvement over the years, and I'm more than fine saying sayonara this offseason. Maybe it's the lack of WCJ to be the scapegoat, but I feel the pendulum has swung so far on the board - and the hyperbole of badness so great - that even I'm going to start defending Lauri (a little ).

We're crushing his value as a S&T asset if we truly believe he's not part of the future. He has all sort of warts that I don't like, but he's not as bad as his playing time, and current role suggests. But maybe that's the point? Maybe AK really does like him longer term, and is intentionally trying to depress his value so that we can resign him on a cheaper deal? Seems like that would have a good chance of failing regardless, and could have several other negative outcomes.

I suppose it's more about Vuc over Lauri, wanting Thad/Theis to pair w/Vuc for defensive purposes, and then too many good bigs in a league that doesn't really need them. I don't think there's a perfect solution, but seems like we could figure out some way to keep the Lauri asset afloat...whether he's S&T bait, or we hope to keep him. My immediate suggestion would be reducing some of Vuc/Thad minutes as relatively older dudes playing this compressed schedule.

Look, I think they tried to get even a late 1st for Lauri, but couldn't...making playing time decisions for S&T value shouldn't be part of the equation (although I do think he's earned more than he's gotten).

[ZOMG]

I think Bulls will just let Lauri walk - how they are handling him now does not make any sense otherwise. So normal FA signing for Heat.

I think heat has a lot of cap expiring after this season and might have room to add Lauri.

If the Bulls KNOW the're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

It’s definitely not a conspiracy. Maybe they just think he is worse fit/player than the 3 guys in front of him.

He was averaging 20ppg on crazy efficency earlier this season. Let's not start this again.

Lauri is still shooting 39% (!!!) from the perimeter and has remained extremely effective near the basket. Look it up. It's all there.

Theis is shooting 22%, yet he's now getting more 3pt shots than Lauri. This can't be comfortably explained away. It's totally ridiculous.

The Bulls are very clearly pushing Markkanen aside against all logic. Why are they doing it at a critical point in the season when every game counts? As I said, I've come to the conclusion that they don't really care about wins as much as we think they do (see: giving Point Coby big minutes) and are trying to sabotage Lauri.

For that to work, the Bulls would have to know that Markkanen is putting a very, very high priority on staying in Chicago, for one reason or another.

Then again, IMO it's a flawed strategy anyway. Other teams are seeing through this treatment. They know Lauri isn't this 11 minute guy who gets 3 shots per game. The offer sheets will be there.

[ZOMG]

If the Bulls KNOW the're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

It’s definitely not a conspiracy. Maybe they just think he is worse fit/player than the 3 guys in front of him.

I do not think it is conspiracy either. In general, stupidity is almost always a better explanation than there being some "evil plan". It is clear that Lauri has been relegated to the role of the fourth big in the rotation. But for Pete's sake, why are you not utilizing that fourth big in his true role, i.e., as an offensive player? Because he is not supposed to be "featured" in the offense? That's bush league.

You shouldn't misunderstand the word "conspiracy". Or "sabotage". Nobody's saying there's any actual evil intent - it's mostly just a bunch of cynical business decisions. Somebody wants to keep their cushy FO job, somebody's trying to save face, somebody owes an agent a favor.

There's all kinds of behind-the-scenes machinations in the NBA that fans simply are not privy to. This is the stuff you NEVER hear home announcers or analysts talking about, as they're all part of the same machine. Essentially they work for the owners, directly or indirectly. They don't work for the players.

This is why Stacey finished the Grizzlies game by calling out Lauri Markkanen, of all people - he said Lauri should "step up" or something ridiculous like that. He simply pretended not to notice that Lauri gets like 13 minutes and 3 shots per game these days and has been completely marginalized. In essence, he was lying. Stacey knows where the wind blows.

It's the same reason he's careful not to criticize Vucevic or Theis at any point. They're off limits for now, no matter how they play.

The Bulls have made a business decision on Lauri Markkanen, and I suspect there's more to it than meets the eye.

[MrSparkle]

Just so I'm clear, we're ready to draw conclusions after 10 games on the net-state of the Vucevic trade, however - Lauri needs more opportunity after 4 years and 3 radically different coaches?

[HomoSapien]

I think Bulls will just let Lauri walk - how they are handling him now does not make any sense otherwise. So normal FA signing for Heat.

I think heat has a lot of cap expiring after this season and might have room to add Lauri.

If the Bulls KNOW they're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

The possibility that they just don't think he's very good didn't cross your mind?

If they don't want him back, that suggests they don't hold him in high value. If they don't hold him in high value, it's illogical to "try and get as much use out of him as possible."

[ZOMG]

I think Bulls will just let Lauri walk - how they are handling him now does not make any sense otherwise. So normal FA signing for Heat.

I think heat has a lot of cap expiring after this season and might have room to add Lauri.

If the Bulls KNOW they're not going to match any offer sheets, it would be logical to try to get as much use out of him as possible for the playoff push while he's still under contract.

What they're doing now makes absolutely no sense, unless they're actively trying to sabotage those offers sheets... aiming to resign Markkanen to a very cheap deal.

A month ago I would've considered the latter just a conspiracy theory. Not anymore.

The possibility that they just don't think he's very good didn't cross your mind?

As has been pointed out many times - if they truly think he's suddenly and inexplicably become a guy who's almost unplayable, then they're idiots and don't deserve their jobs. Come on now, let's not play these silly games.

Lauri is still so efficient both behind the arc and near the basket that it's madness not to play him. I don't care if you hate him personally - if we're trying to win, he needs to play.

But I suspect we're not trying to win.

[Pentele]

It’s definitely not a conspiracy. Maybe they just think he is worse fit/player than the 3 guys in front of him.

I do not think it is conspiracy either. In general, stupidity is almost always a better explanation than there being some "evil plan". It is clear that Lauri has been relegated to the role of the fourth big in the rotation. But for Pete's sake, why are you not utilizing that fourth big in his true role, i.e., as an offensive player? Because he is not supposed to be "featured" in the offense? That's bush league.

You shouldn't misunderstand the word "conspiracy". Or "sabotage". Nobody's saying there's any actual evil intent - it's mostly just a bunch of cynical business decisions. Someobody wants to keep their cushy FO job, somebody's trying to save face, somebody owes an agent a favor.

There's all kinds of behind-the-scenes machinations in the NBA that fans simply are not privy to. This is the stuff you NEVER hear home announcers or analysts talking about, as they're all part of the same machine. Essentially they work for the owners, directly or indirectly. They don't work for the players.

This is why Stacey finished the Grizzlies game by calling out Lauri Markkanen, of all people - he said Lauri should "step up" or something ridiculous like that. He simply pretended not to notice that Lauri gets like 13 minutes and 3 shots per game these days and has been completely marginalized. In essence, he was lying. Stacey knows where the wind blows.

It's the same reason he's careful not to criticize Vucevic or Theis at any point. They're off limits for now, no matter how they play.

The Bulls have made a business decision on Lauri Markkanen, and I suspect there's more to it than meets the eye.

Yes, I'll give part of that. It is probably about saving faces etc. But I just don't think that there is an intention to lower Lauri's value in order to resign him. Stacy certainly knows where the wind blows, and he is doing his best to justify the recent roster choices. Another thing that caught my ear was how vigorously Stacy was blaming Markkanen's defense in the instance Coby came to help and left his own man unguarded at the three point line. That was over the top, I'd say. But that does not really move the needle for me to draw the conclusion that the FO is lowering Lauri's value intentionally. That does not mean that the media games would not be played for other reasons.

Btw, funnily, Amin is complimenting Lauri for this or that thing at the time. I guess he feels the need to stay positive, or something, but Stacy rarely shares that sentiment anymore. Of course, Amin is sometimes simply reading the situation badly; the funniest instance was when Donovan gave that big F U to Lauri by keeping him on the court with Felicio and others. Amin said something like "This is a good opportunity for Lauri to find some chemistry with the other bench guys", and Stacy responded almost ashamed (for Amin?) that "No... this is not going to be the rotation in the future".