Lauri Markkanen has taken the NBA by storm, rapidly showing his potential to be one of the best talents in the league for years to come.

The rookie out of Arizona impressed during this year's EuroBasket, representing his native Finland against other European greats like Dennis Schroder, Goran Dragic, and Kristaps Porzingis.

The 7-footer is coming off a career-high 25 points against the Miami Heat, in only his sixth game in his debut season, now averaging 17.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game as the starting power forward, after Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic had an ugly encounter before starting the regular season.

This fight has been in a way a blessing in disguise, allowing head coach Fred Hoiberg to see his talents from the early get-go, talents that even his teammates aren't surprised by.

“No, you keep asking me if he surprises me. We practice with him,” said shooting guard Justin Holiday, according to K.C. Johnson of The Chicago Tribune.

The Bulls themselves are struggling, rating last in the NBA in scoring, field goal percentage and offensive rating, but they have found a gem through the Jimmy Butler trade, which was the seventh pick in Markkanen.

Whether Mirotic decides to go or stay, the Bulls are likely to ride out Markkanen as the starter for the long haul, giving them the spacing, rebounding, and overall scoring that they need moving forward with this rebuild.