Chicago Bulls: 3 things fans can be thankful for this Thanksgiving
By Jason Elbaum
3. Selecting Lauri Markkanen with the seventh pick in the 2017 NBA Draft
On one of the most depressing nights in recent franchise memory, Bulls fans watched their team trade away their superstar centerpiece for a top 10 draft pick. Then, with college basketball juggernauts Dennis Smith Jr. and Malik Monk still on the board at No. 7, Chicago opted for the Finnish seven-footer, Lauri Markkanen.
This selection received mixed reviews from Bulls fans, but just 14 games into his NBA career, Markkanen has already begun to silence his doubters. The power forward is averaging 15.4 points and 8.0 rebounds on the season and just poured in a career-high 26 points and 13 rebounds in Sunday’s loss to the Phoenix Suns.
Bulls fans can take this Thanksgiving to be thankful that the team selected a player that looks like he’ll be at least a serviceable NBA starter for years to come. He clearly fits the mold of today’s NBA big man that can step out and knock down the outside shot. At just 20 years old, Markkanen’s “ceiling is the roof,” as Bulls legend Michael Jordan would say.