The Chicago Bulls have already gotten Wendell Carter Jr. back, and now, another one of their big men may be on the mend.
According to K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago, third-year forward Lauri Markkanen has returned to full practice and is hoping to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.
Markkanen has been sidelined since late January due to a stress reaction in his pelvis.
When he has been on the floor this season, he has struggled, as he is averaging 15 points and 6.5 rebounds over 30.3 minutes per game while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor, 34.4 percent from three-point range and 82.6 percent from the free-throw line.
He is posting career lows in scoring, rebounding, field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw shooting and has clearly had a difficult time adjusting to Jim Boylen's system this season, which has caused some frustration on the part of Markkanen.
The 22-year-old, who played his collegiate basketball at the University of Arizona, was originally selected by the Timberwolves with the seventh overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. He was then immediately traded to the Bulls in a deal that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota.
Markkanen had a strong rookie campaign, registering 15.2 points and 7.5 boards across 29.7 minutes a night while making 43.4 percent of his field-goal attempts, 36.2 percent of his long-distance tries and 84.3 percent of his foul shots.
The following year, Markkanen continued his impressive play, recording 18.7 points and nine rebounds through 32.3 minutes per game, connecting on 43 percent of his shots, 36.1 percent of his triples and 87.2 percent of his foul shots, although he was limited to just 52 games due to health issues.
Markkanen appeared to be a star on the rise, but he has certainly stalled this season.
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