New York Knicks: 5 restricted free agents to target this offseason

Restricted free-agent target for the New York Knicks: 5. Lauri Markkanen

The Chicago Bulls elected not to offer Lauri Markkanen a contract extension in large part due to his inability to stay on the court and his inconsistencies on offense when he is healthy. After a promising first two seasons in which the former seventh overall pick averaged 16.7 points and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 36.2 percent from the perimeter and 85.9 percent from the charity stripe, Markkanen has regressed the last couple of years.

Last season he posted career lows across the board, averaging 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 25.8 minutes per game. But he did post impressive shooting splits with a career-high 40.2 percent on 3-pointers and 48 percent overall.

Then there are the health concerns. He’s dealt with a litany of injuries in his young career, highlighted by a sprained elbow that cost him nearly half of the 2018-19 season. Markkanen has missed 80 of 301 possible games, including 21 games he didn’t suit up for last season due to various ailments, as well as being placed in the league’s health and safety protocols.

Still, he’s only 24 years old and possesses a highly sought-after modern skillset with his ability to create his own shot and stretch the floor at seven feet tall. He’s also a solid rebounder when healthy and engaged. He won’t give you much in the way of defense, but he provides the Knicks with shooting, shot-creating, rebounding, and front-court depth.

Although they made a qualifying offer, making him a restricted free agent, he seems to have fallen out of favor with the Bulls, and it’s not very likely they match an offer sheet. It’s more likely they extended the qualifying offer in hopes of working out a sign-and-trade with one of Markkanen’s suitors.