2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 4 power rankings

Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images /
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Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images /

4. Lauri Markkanen, Chicago Bulls

Last week: No. 4 (↔)

Chicago Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen remains steady in the power rankings despite their status in the Eastern Conference. The Bulls are 2-7 this season. They have lost their past two games since defeating the Orlando Magic last Friday.

Markkanen had 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the 105-83 road victory. He was a rebound shy of the second double-double of his career.

Markkanen has managed to score in double figures in all nine regular season games for the Bulls this year. The team went 1-2 with the Finland rookie in the rotation last week.

He’s learning to become a more efficient shooter from the floor and behind the 3-point arc still. He has shot 35.0 percent from the arc in their past three games.

With Bobby Portis off suspension, the results should change a bit with him and Markkanen on the floor together. Portis put up 21 points and 13 rebounds in 24 minutes in his debut off the bench on Tuesday night.