2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[BasketballJones41]

Well...when you google Lauri Markannen

result 1:  Less of Lauri Markkanen has been more for the Bulls

result 2:  Stock down: Lauri Markkanen.  Chicago doesn't see him and Vucevic as a long term fit next to each other.

I've been a fan of his also but I dont really see his fit next to KP for the Mavs to invest in him heavily.  If they move KP, I'd definitely be more interested.  He has one of the best looking shots I've seen for a big man.

That’s a fair point but allow me to counter it. I don’t get to watch many Bulls games since I live here in Texas but I’ve been doing my best to keep up with Markkanen‘s situation. His first two years in the league he was very good. In his second year he was already looking like he was well on his way to becoming a legitimate Robin in this league. And then Chicago hired Jim Boylan. Just take a look at what Bulls fans have to say about him. Nothing good I can promise. He pretty much just used Markkanen as a spot up shooter. The whole Boylan experience set Lauri’s player development back by a whole season. Then he bounced back this year under Billy Donovan and was having a very good season of until the trade deadline. He struggled once he was moved to the bench for sure but I think a lot of that has to do with disappointment with not getting traded at the deadline. In fact I believe he’s wanted out of Chicago ever since last year. He even half ass requested to be traded in the off-season. To me he seems like a player desperate for a new start. And we’ve seen what a difference that can make sometimes in professional sports. Just ask Julius Randle. 

I disagree with those saying that he wouldn’t fit with KP. Just look back at the numbers that Luka/KP/DP put up together last year. Now imagine how that would’ve looked if Powell could’ve also shot the three at a 36-40% clip. That’s what you get by adding Markkanen to this team. Luka/KP/LM might be impossible to guard. Just my opinion of course.