Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen wants to make the playoffs this season.

The Bulls haven't been to the postseason since 2017, the final year of the Jimmy Butler era.

Markkanen, arguably the most important player in Chicago, says everyone on the Bulls is “focused on improving every day.”

“That’s our goal,” Markkanen told K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago. “Personally for me, just missing the playoffs and having such long offseasons, that’s a bummer. I would love to be in the playoffs. We’re just focused on improving every day.”

The Bulls won just 22 games last season. However, they should win more games this season after having a solid offseason.

Chicago signed veterans Thaddeus Young, Tomas Satoransky and Luke Kornet in free agency, and drafted Coby White and Daniel Gafford in the 2019 draft.

In the end, the Bulls will go as far as Lauri Markkanen and Zach LaVine can take them. The two youngsters are the cornerstones of the franchise.

LaVine averaged 23.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season, while Markkanen put up 18.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Both guys are expected to take the next step in their development this season.

The Bulls' projected starting lineup is Kris Dunn, LaVine, Otto Porter, Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr.