Chicago Bulls: 5 bold predictions for 2018-19 NBA season
4. Lauri Markkanen will be an All-Star……reserve
Lauri Markkanen was part of the 2017 draft-night trade that sent three-time All-Star Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Labeled as one of the more gifted shooting big men in last year’s draft, the primary concern was whether he could be more than a perimeter threat.
In a word: Absolutely.
Sure, Markkanen connected on his 100th 3-pointer faster than any other player in NBA history, accomplishing the feat in his 41st game.
⚠️NBA RECORD: @MarkkanenLauri has made 100 career three pointers faster than any player in @NBA history (41st game). pic.twitter.com/HNmD0L0bFX
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 15, 2018
As impressive as that stat was, Markkanen also demonstrated the ability to put the ball on the deck and take it to the rim as well.
Lauri Markkanen went off for a career-high 32 in tonight's win, and showed his scoring skill all over the court: pic.twitter.com/ParocaINet
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) December 30, 2017
During his rookie campaign, Markkanen posted averages of 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 29.7 minutes per outing on slash lines of .434/.362/.843 — not too shabby for a guy that was thrown into the starting lineup unexpectedly following an altercation between Bobby Portis and former Bull Nikola Mirotic.
Based on the numbers, it is safe to presume that a good portion of the offense will run through Markkanen in 2018-19, and if that holds true you can expect to see a boost in his production.
Now, he may not be at the point where he can go off for 20 and 10 on a nightly basis, but he is definitely capable of putting up 17.5 points and pulling down nine boards per contest, which should be enough for him to earn a reserve spot in the league’s annual All-Star contest.