Lauri Markkanen isn’t comfortable talking about himself — or anything, really, outside the context of team. It’s how he was raised and how he was taught the game of basketball. But in a phone interview with NBC Sports Chicago following an up-and-down season that featured him moving from focal point to reserve, the mild-mannered forward made clear his approach to his restricted free agency this offseason. “My thing is I think I’ve always been a team-first guy. And I think now it’s time to look at the business side of the game,” Markkanen said. “I feel like I’m only 23 years old and I have a lot of basketball ahead of me. It’s a good opportunity to look what’s out there for me. I can be a focal point. I think I have a lot more to offer.” Read more https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/nba-free-agents-2021-bulls-lauri-markkanen-test-market
IMO we have seen the last game Lauri will play for the Bulls. If he will get a good offer in the offseason to play for another team he will take it. The way he has played game in and game out the last 3 years makes me believe the Bulls will not match. Stacy King pushed the idea that the front office loves Lauri and want to keep him or resign him, I don't doubt that, but we can get a player with the MLE this summer that gives us what Lauri gives the team, mostly scoring little else. This was his 4th season and he averages just UNDER 6 boards a game. Remember he is a 7 footer. Fourth year under 6 boards a game. He gets pushed around in the paint and around the basket too much to be a 4th year NBA player. If I was GM I would let him go unless the market is low on him and I don't see that.
