The Charlotte Hornets have become serious suitors for Lauri Markkanen, journalist Shams Charania has reported. The current Chicago Bulls player is a restricted free agent.
Although it seems that in Illinois they would not regret the departure of the Finnish international, they would prefer to receive something in return. Thus, the Bulls could propose a sign-and-trade to the Charlotte board of directors with the aim of closing an operation that benefits both parties.
Markkanen has not been able to establish himself in the Bulls’ rotation since he was selected in the seventh position of the 2017 draft. A situation that would have aroused the discomfort of the player, interested in knowing his market value and changing of scene. However, he recently rejected an offer from San Antonio, considering it too low.
The 24-year-old insider has just had his worst campaign in terms of scoring (13.6 points), although with the best shooting percentages of his career (48% in field goals and 40.8% in triples). However, the arrival of Nikola Vucevic ended up displacing him from the starting quintet after his incompatibility on the track became clear.
Thus, the Hornets have emerged as a potential destination for Markkanen to redirect his career in the league. In Charlotte they could take advantage of their outside shot to space the court and exploit the virtues of LaMelo Ball and Gordon Hayward.
(Cover photo by Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
