The Dallas Mavericks were recently reported as a potential suitor for Chicago Bulls restricted free agent Lauri Markkanen as they try to add more talent around Luka Doncic, and Marc Stein is again confirming that interest. However, the Mavs' best opportunity to acquire Markkanen is through an $11 million trade exception, and the young big man is seeking more money.

Markkanen currently finds himself in a bit of a pickle. He wants a fresh start with a new team, but there's not much cap space left around the NBA. This means Markkanen needs a sign-and-trade to get the kind of deal he wants.

However, the Bulls want to make sure any sign-and-trade is worth their while. Chicago is seeking a first-round pick in order to facilitate a sign-and-trade, and the preference is to not take any salary back in a deal.

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Given all these factors, there has been no agreement worked out on the Markkanen front. The 24-year-old Finnish sharpshooter did just have his best shooting season at over 40% from 3-point range, but his stagnated development elsewhere has cooled his market as a restricted free agent.

Markkanen could wind up returning to the Bulls on a qualifying offer worth around $9 million for 2021-22, but he recently expressed his desire to go elsewhere. It seems he's going to have to make a tough choice.