Chicago Bulls budding big man Lauri Markkanen is still a couple of weeks away from taking contact. Markkanen has been sidelined by a right elbow sprain sustained at the start of training camp.

The Bulls just picked up the third-year team option for Lauri Markkanen ahead of Wednesday's deadline. The 21-year-old stretch forward from Finland was a revelation for the Bulls last season. Originally the first-round pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2017, Markkanen was traded to the Bulls as part of the Jimmy Butler deal.

Markkanen finished his rookie season with averages of 15.2 points on top of 7.5 rebounds per game. His 3-point shooting was on full display during a regular-season game against the New York Knicks in which he exploded for 33 points and 10 rebounds. Markkanen shot eight out of 15 from beyond the arc that night.

When Markkanen returns, head coach Fred Hoiberg will have a good problem on his hands. The Bulls already have Bobby Portis (though he's also hurt at the moment) and Jabari Parker at their disposal, two stretch forwards with a similar style of game. It remains to be seen if the Bulls will try using Parker at small forward after moving away from that alignment when Markkanen got hurt.

No matter what, Lauri Markkanen will be a valuable piece for the young Bulls team. Zach LaVine has been scoring at will this season, and his penetrations will open up more opportunities for Markkanen to score.