Chicago Bulls: Is it time to be all-in on Lauri Markkanen?

Will the Chicago Bulls prove they’re all-in on Lauri Markkanen?

Just a few weeks ago, Lauri Markkanen was unsure about his future with the Chicago Bulls. However, in a recent interview, he made it clear that he wants to sign an extension with the Bulls – perhaps that all changed when Chicago hired Arturas Karnisovas as their new executive vice president of operations.

Nevertheless, it appears Markkanen will seek an extension this upcoming offseason as an attempt to solidify his future with the team.

Question is, coming off somewhat of a disappointing third season with the team, should the Bulls be all-in on Markkanen.

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"[via On Tap Sports Net]“I want to stay in Chicago and sign an extension (with the Bulls), no question. I love this city.”"

Markkanen’s rough season and the Chicago Bulls’ big decision

Markkanen is coming off a season in which he averaged 15 points and six rebounds per game on 42.5 percent shooting from the field and 34 percent shooting from 3-point range – all career lows for the young big.

In fairness, he did battle injuries before the NBA implemented a hiatus, most recently a pelvic injury that forced him to miss roughly six weeks of the season. He had just returned one week before the league was shut down.

But it goes beyond his on-the-court performance that should give the Bulls some pause in giving Markkanen the big money he could be in line to make.

For one, the Bulls have a number of other decisions to make on extensions. Otto Porter could be a free agent either this offseason (though I find it hard to believe that he’ll decline his $28 million option for next season), or next offseason, Zach LaVine will be a free agent in two years, along with Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky, and a decision will need to be made soon(ish) on Coby White and Wendell Carter Jr. too.

Plus, the Bulls have a projected top 7 pick and could be forced to take another big if a wing or point guard of their liking isn’t available.

Heading into the offseason, there are a few potential pathways that will take place. For one, it sounds like Markkanen’s group is going to ask for an extension. Or at least will want to have some sort of talks.

At that point, the Bulls could either sit down and have serious talks and try to take advantage of his “poor” season to get him at a discounted price, or they could pay the premium and be all-in on Markkanen.

One option that both sides might want to take, especially if the Bulls aren’t willing to pay market value, is to let Markkanen play out his fourth season and then have talks then. This is a risky option for both sides.

For Markkanen, this becomes risky if he doesn’t make the jump he believes he can make into a close-to-max player. He takes another step back or simply doesn’t have the statistical season he believes he can and loses millions.

From Chicago’s perspective, this becomes risky in the event that he has the best season of his career and Markkanen tests restricted free agency and he gets a max offer sheet – the Bulls are then forced to play Markkanen max money (potentially overpricing him) when they could possibly get him for below that right now.

Though, there is the chance that Markkanen isn’t the player that the Bulls believe he is and they just let him walk or work out and sign-and-trade for him next summer.

It’s quite difficult and I’m not sure if there’s a “right” answer for the Bulls. Would the new management be comfortable enough to extend Markkanen right now? That’s another element to this entire situation that can’t be overlooked.

The Chicago Bulls have a big decision to make on Lauri Markkanen. They need to decide if it’s time to be all-in on their young big man.