Chicago Bulls: 3 goals following 2019 NBA All-Star break

1. Lauri, Lauri, Lauri

Simply put, the last 24 games for the Chicago Bulls should be about Lauri Markannen and little else from a personnel standpoint.

The 7-foot second-year big man should continue to be the centerpiece of the Bulls offense. LaVine has carried the load most of the season, but if Markkanen’s recent outbursts are any indication, the future of the franchise centers around the Finnish big man.

Markkanen is averaging 18.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in his second season with the Bulls. Still just 21 years old, he is once again showing the promise that made him a lottery pick in 2017 and as he continues to improve, he might actually have been a steal at the 7th overall selection.

A 7-footer who is as adept at keying the fast break as he is posting up, Markkanen has been posting monster numbers of late, including five games of at least 13 rebounds in the last nine games. He also had a run of three consecutive 30 point games early in February as his confidence continues to soar.

The Chicago Bulls might be suffering through a rough campaign this season, but the future still looks bright as long as Lauri Markkanen continues his rapid development. He’s shown he’s the real deal and his ceiling might be higher than originally believed.