NBA Trade Rumors: Chicago Bulls currently have no plans to trade Lauri Markkanen
What's the rumor?
The Chicago Bulls entered the 2019-20 season hoping to contend for a playoff spot, but Jim Boylen's team have made a disappointing 6-12 start to the season. With the Bulls facing another difficult campaign, Lauri Markkanen has been linked with a trade away from the team.
However, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that the Bulls have no plans to trade the 22-year-old.
In case you didn't know...
Markkanen was drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves with the seventh pick of the 2017 NBA draft, but his rights were immediately traded to the Bulls as part of the deal that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota.
Markkanen has been a regular starter for the Bulls since making his debut back in October 2017. Last season he averaged career highs in points (18.7), rebounds (9.0) and assists (1.4).
The heart of the matter
There have been reports of Markkanen and Zach LaVine facing difficulties in playing with each other. But Cowley has revealed that the team management isn't too concerned about that.
"If LaVine and Markkanen can’t figure it out, one of them might have to go. That’s why rumors of a possible Markkanen trade have cropped up, even though a source in the organization adamantly shot down those whispers," Cowley said.
Markkanen has started the season averaging just 13.6 on 35.6% shooting from the field, but at 22, the power forward still remains a hugely exciting talent. Unless a significant trade offer comes in from a rival team, it makes little sense to trade the Finnish star, and he should play a prominent role in the future of the Bulls.
What's next?
Following Monday's defeat to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Bulls will be looking to get back to winning ways when they face the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. They will then take on the struggling Portland Trail Blazers two days later.