2020-2021 ROSTER TALK: Archived

[StrandedOnBeauboisHill]

Yes, Markkanen is a casualty.  Chicago basically has two paths.  Create cap room for another good player and take the risk of LaVine as a UFA in 22.  Or, they can use space to renegotiate and extend Lavine and lock him down.  Markkanen hasn't been a priority for Chicago since the Vucevic trade.  Unless he is to be used as part of a S&T with a team that will still have cap room after the deal, there isn't a role for him in either scenario.   

Chicago needs $14.2mm in space to renegotiate LaVine and then give him his max extension.  The Orlando deal left them a couple million shy without their cap holds on Markkanen and others.  The swap of JRich's opt-in amount for T. Young's 21 salary gets them that needed additional space.  Two of the cap holds Chicago is letting go of (Temple and Valentine) play fairly significant minutes for the Bulls which would be replaced by Richardson.

Just a heads up but it has been widely reported that Lavine is expected to forego his extension.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/zach-lavine-likely-to-decline-contract-extension-this-offseason-become-free-agent-in-2022-per-report/#:~:text=NBA%20Draft%20Coverage-,Zach%20LaVine%20likely%20to%20decline%20contract%20extension%20this%20offseason%2C%20become,agent%20in%202022%2C%20per%20report&text=With%20the%20bulk%20of%20the,less%2Dheralded%20class%20of%202022.

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I might be wrong, but to me he is just what JRich or Delon are.

I think you're really underestimating Brogdon here.  The guy is averaging 21.5 a game so I don't understand the concerns with scoring.