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Lauri Markkanen and the Chicago Bulls had until 5pm local time Monday to agree on a contract extension. Several other young players got expanded with their teams, but Markkanen did not. This means the 23-year-old will become a limited free agent in 2021, with a warrant offer of just over $ 9 million and a cap grip of more than $ 20 million.
While both Markkanen and Bulls were vice-presidents of basketball activity Arturas Karnisovas recently stated that they wanted to make a deal, KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago says the two sides were “never close.”
It always felt like something of a long shot that Markkanen and the Bulls would have common ground on expansion before this season. After showing little promise that he would begin his career as a key part of Jimmy Butler’s return to trade, the 2017 No. 7 pick was a disappointment in Year 3. with a hamstring injury. With a new front office coming in and Markkanen not showing enough development in his young career, Chicago had little reason to promise him a long-term lucrative contract.
The Bulls may have been happy to lock Markkanen up on a team-friendly contract (maybe something around $ 15 million a year), but there was little reason to give the team too much discount in those negotiations. He knew he could bet on himself with a 2020-21 kickback season and earn more for it than he enjoyed.
Markkanen’s mind was certainly strengthened by seeing so many other free 2021 reps come off the table a few weeks ago. It may have been a 2021 class right now now much weaker, but nine teams still expect at least $ 20 million to replace caps, the Bulls included. Markkanen, John Collins, Lonzo Ball and Jarrett Allen are the most famous young players who failed on Monday’s expansion, so their status as free agents will be limited next offseason as something to explore.
Markkanen is now entering a probationary season, as did Jimmy Butler when he did not sign an extension back in 2014. Butler’s own pledge resulted in a five-year, $ 95 million contract. after winning best player in 2014 -15.
While there is no evidence that Markkanen is ready for such a breakout campaign, he hopes a healthy season under new head coach Billy Donovan will eventually lead to a jump of some sort. The man ‘s preseason performance was not particularly encouraging, as he fired just 38.0% overall and 31.0% on points-3, but as Donovan used it and more aggression at least he was in places to succeed. .
The Bulls will have decisions to make based on Markkanen’s performance this season, as well as the team’s performance as a whole. Even if Markkanen himself is progressing at an individual level, a lack of team development could make this new front office blow up this young heart and make a craft. No one should be safe in this situation, and the Bulls might be able to get back something of reasonable value in a trade for an improved Markkanen, even by going to a free agency. limited. Chicago might still be looking to keep it around as well, but an offer page might be big enough to put it off.
If things go badly on all sides, Chicago must be ready to make Patrick Williams more focused in front court and let Markkanen walk. It would be unfortunate to lose Markkanen with nothing, but at that point it would be time to pull a plug.
If both Markkanen and the Bulls go above and beyond, Chicago would have to be ready to pay up, perhaps at $ 20 million or more per quarter (2017 No. 6 pick Jonathan Isaac just on four years acquisition, $ 80 million). He only has one team that is ready to make a ton of money to raise that price.
It is a danger that the Bulls were willing to take, difficult and very reasonable with Markkanen ‘s history so far. He’s been too injured and too average as a player, so now it’s time to put up or shut down. He needs to stay healthy, play strongly aggressively and hit open beats.
The time for apologies for Lauri Markkanen is over.