Report: Timberwolves, Thunder and Spurs interested in Lauri Markkanen

According to a recent report, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs are all possible landing spots for big man Lauri Markkanen.

“The Chicago Bulls and forward Lauri Markkanen are open to a sign-and-trade deal, league sources told HoopsHype,” wrote Michael Scotto. “One team to keep an eye on in the sign-and-trade market for Markkanen is the Minnesota Timberwolves, who’ve been searching for an upgrade at the power forward position.

 

“Multiple teams with cap space entering the offseason also have Markkanen on their free agency radar, including the San Antonio Spurs and Oklahoma City Thunder, HoopsHype has learned.”

Markkanen is one of the more underrated big men in the NBA, and he could be a massive frontcourt piece for whichever team lands his services for the 2021-22 season. In the 2020-21 campaign, Markkanen averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from deep.

Markkanen’s ability to consistently hit shots from the perimeter makes him a very tough matchup for opposing teams. He is a career 36.6 percent shooter from 3-point land.

The former first-round pick has spent his entire NBA career with the Bulls up to this point, but it sounds like he could find himself playing in a new uniform next season. It could be a nice change of scenery for the 24-year-old, and he may get a chance to shine even brighter with a different team.

The Bulls have not made the postseason since Markkanen came into the league. Perhaps he could help guide a different organization to the playoffs in the 2021-22 season.