Chicago Bulls: Lauri Markkanen is the bright light in a dim 2017-18 season

Having officially entered a rebuild, 2017-18 may be a dark time for the Chicago Bulls. Fortunately, rookie Lauri Markkanen is here to bring some light to an otherwise dim season.

There are going to be some dark times ahead for the Chicago Bulls.

After spending years in limbo, the front office has finally taken the plunge and entered a rebuild.

Gone are the days of Most Valuable Player Derrick Rose and Defensive Player of the Year Joakim Noah. Say goodbye to the Jimmy Butler era. 2017-18 marks the start of something new for the organization.

Something that for now, is not going to be pretty.

With a roster headlined by Zach LaVine, who is still recovering from an ACL tear, and Robin Lopez, who will likely be traded midway through he season, no one is expecting much from this team. In fact, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index has the Bulls finishing dead last in the league, with somewhere between just 21-23 wins to look forward to.

So to say fans are in for a rough year would be an understatement.

And yet, there is still a bright light amidst the franchise’s dim future. His name is Lauri Markkanen.

Live Feed

Lakers steal Bulls last chance at a free agency splash /

Pippen Ain't Easy

NBA rumors: Trae Young trade buzz, Andre Drummond is a comedian, Wemby and KAT team upFanSided

Grade the Trade: Bulls land star guard Trae Young in proposed dealPippen Ain't Easy

Hall of Fame a real possibility for Bulls center Andre Drummond?Pippen Ain't Easy

Ranking Michael Jordan's 11 most iconic commercials of all-timePippen Ain't Easy

These NBA stars might switch teams sooner rather than laterAll U Can Heat

Drafted No. 7 overall by Chicago on the heels of the Butler trade, many were not sure what to make of the selection at first. Between Dennis Smith Jr. still being up for grabs and the rookie’s possible likeliness to Nikola Mirotic, the immediate reaction was not great.

But now, just weeks from the start of the season, it seems his potential has finally been recognized.

The Finland-native first began to capture people’s attention during NBA Summer League play. Averaging 14.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a game in 32.7 minutes of play over three Las Vegas matchups, Markkanen showed flashes of his versatility.

His athleticism came through on both ends of the floor, being solid in the paint on offense and causing trouble off the pick-and-roll defensively. And though overall he only shot 29 percent from the field, he closed out his NBA Summer League run with a 20-point, 10-rebound performance.

The 20-year-old then went on to dominate EuroBasket.

Before Finland competed in its eliminating game against Italy, Markkanen averaged 22.6 points per game on 55 percent shooting from the field, including a whopping 50 percent shooting from downtown to go with 7.1 rebounds per contest — numbers very close to New York Knicks star Kristaps Porzingis in EuroBasket play.

Clearly, the Bulls made the right choice.

What is more, the seven-footer is coming into 2017-18 with the right mindset: ready to do whatever it takes to develop his game and make the storied franchise proud.

"“I’m just trying to learn as much as possible… Of course I’m trying to start, but it’s not a deal-breaker for me if I don’t. I know we have a lot of good players and it’s going to be a competition. So I’m just trying to learn as much as possible and keep getting better just to earn my spot.“I feel like the pressure is always on when you’re on the court, so it’s a big thing for me to be here in the NBA organization and such a historic organization. It’s a dream come true for me and just trying to make the best out of it.”"

Best believe Markkanen will do just that.

Next: Top 10 candidates for the 2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year Award

This year will be a tough one for the Chicago Bulls, but rookie Lauri Markkanen will without a doubt be a much-needed silver-lining for the organization.

Home/Chicago Bulls