The Charlotte Hornets have emerged as a suitor for Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium. The Hornets are one of the few teams with any cap space left, so they could potentially sign Markkanen to an offer sheet.
While it seems like the Bulls would be okay moving on from Markkanen, they would prefer not to lose him for nothing. Chicago could try to work out a sign-and-trade to get something back, but a sign-and-trade would be out the window if an offer sheet is signed. The Bulls could potentially threaten to match any offer sheet in order to work out a sign-and-trade instead.
There's also a report out there that said the Bulls, Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans had been talking about a three-team deal involving Markkanen, Lonzo Ball and Devonte' Graham. Ball (Bulls) and Graham (Pelicans) have already agreed to new deals, but perhaps this all gets roped into one big move.
Markkanen has been a disappointment for the Bulls since getting drafted No. 7 overall in 2017. The Finnish big man was one of the key pieces of the Jimmy Butler trade and has shown flashes in his young NBA career, but he has never been able to put it all together to be a consistent impact player. Injuries have been an issue, and he also simply hasn't developed as hoped.
The 24-year-old did just have the best shooting season of his career in 2020-21, hitting 48.0% of his field goals and 40.2% of his 3-point attempts. However, Markkanen's role diminished after the Bulls traded for Nikola Vucevic and Daniel Theis right before the trade deadline.
Markkanen could use a fresh start, and the Hornets wouldn't be a bad option. Charlotte has a young star at point guard in LaMelo Ball who would help get Markkanen good looks from beyond the arc. Ball would immediately become the best point guard Markkanen has ever played with if he goes there.
The young big man has reportedly been looking for a good amount of money in free agency, which is why he doesn't have a deal yet.
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