According to a recent report from Shams Charania of The Athletic, it appears as though Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen could be on the move before the trade deadline. Charania notes that teams from around the NBA have already begun to express interest in the Bulls swingman with more than a few franchises currently making at least some sense for Markkanen.

Although Markkanen has no doubt underperformed for the better part of his NBA career, especially this season, the former first-round pick by the Bulls is still only 23-years-old and certainly has a lot of quality basketball left in him. Perhaps a change of scenery with a slightly diminished role is exactly what the young forward needs to rebound.

Dallas Mavericks

As it stands today, the Dallas Mavericks own the eighth-best record in the Western Conference at 22-19. With superstar point guard Luka Doncic leading the way down in Dallas, the Mavericks will no doubt serve as a legitimate threat in the Western Conference.

However, with Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis becoming less than reliable, mostly due to injury, perhaps a trade for Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen could be in the cards for Dallas. Markkanen could effectively serve as an insurance policy for the aforementioned Porzingis while providing the team with an even deeper rotation and bench. Someone has to score when Doncic isn't on the floor and Porzingis is M.I.A.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns quickly became the NBA's best team down in Orlando when the league formed its COVID-19 bubble over the summer. Although ultimately missing out on the postseason last season, the team's valient effort was unfortunately too little, too late. The Suns have wasted absolutely no time in solidifying itself as one of the best teams in the Western Conference this year.

Markkanen Could Add Major Value To Suns

The Suns are now in sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, behind only the surging Utah Jazz. At 28-13, the Suns will need to make a serious push toward the postseason if Phoenix is going to become a legitimate title contender. With that in mind, adding a player like Chicago Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen could be just what the Suns need ahead of the final stretch of the 2020-21 regular season. With this team stacked with guards, a bit more height and a solid scoring option off the bench could go a long way for Phoenix.

Charlotte Hornets

With the NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner in point guard LaMelo Ball already ruled out for the remainder of the 2020-21 campaign after undergoing surgery this week, the Charlotte Hornets need some reinforcements — and fast. If Charlotte has any hope of sneaking into the Eastern Conference's postseason picture in the absence of Ball, the Hornets will need to add a player or two ahead of this year's trade deadline.

With the Chicago Bulls seemingly dangling veteran forward Lauri Markkanen out there, the Hornets should at the very least explore this option in order to bolster the team's rotation down the final stretch of the regular season. With Ball playing well and the Hornets on an upswing, Charlotte sits in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and will need some help to remain there with the franchise's most prolific player lost to injury.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have encountered one of the stranger seasons. With the Pacers previously nearing the top of the Eastern Conference, Indiana has since fallen on some seriously hard times at just 19-23. As it stands today, the Pacers are in 10th place in the Eastern Conference.

If the Pacers are going to finish the 2020-21 regular season on the right side of the Eastern Conference standings, Indiana is going to have to turn things around in a hurry. Previously acquiring guard Caris LaVert from the Brooklyn Nets and shipping another guard in Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets, the Pacers could use some additional depth. Bulls forward Lauri Markkanen can provide both scoring and rebounding as a pivotal role player. With other pieces in place in Indiana, the pressure would surely be off of Markkanen, which could allow his game to open up a bit as the Pacers look to finish the year on a high note en route to the postseason.