sco wrote:Didn't see this posted https://www.nbcsportsedge.com/edge/basketball/nba/player-news#team=191&page=1Bulls executive VP of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas said earlier this week that the team hopes to keep restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen.
While Markkanen has shown flashes of the potential that made him the seventh overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the 2020-21 season was a difficult one for him. Limited to 51 games (20 starts) due to injury, Markkanen averaged career-lows in points (13.6 ppg), rebounds (5.3 rpg), assists (0.9 apg), steals (0.5 spg) and blocks (0.3 bpg), but his percentages from the field and from three were career-highs. Given the addition of Nikola Vucevic it's fair to wonder where Markkanen fits in Chicago, but Karnisovas has defended the fourth-year forward on multiple occasions. "I’ve got limited stuff that I can obviously be permitted to comment on regarding that, but I thought Lauri had a good year," Karnisovas said. "I thought he was more efficient. He’s a 40% three-point shooter. You know shooting comes at a premium in our league, and I think Lauri is an essential part of our team. We hope he is a part of what we’re building here, so I’m looking forward to free agency and talking to his representation." According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Markkanen (privately) would like to land in Dallas, but there are questions about the fit given the presence of Kristaps Porzingis. Chicago will have the ability to match any offer that Markkanen receives.
Cut and paste GM speak.