The New Orleans Pelicans should target Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls.
The New Orleans Pelicans should be scouring the league for value players that fit next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram.
One way to do so is to find talented players coming off a down year or guys who are on a team in transition between coaches and front office.
Enter Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls.
Markkanen fits all three criteria, as he is coming off a down year on a team with a new coach and new front office. His numbers dropped across the board, which led to some criticism and bickering.
Markkanen saw his scoring, rebounding and minutes drop last season, going from 18.7 to 14.7 points per game and seeing his 3-point percentage dip to the lowest in his career.
Many blamed former Bulls coach Jim Boylen, who did a poor job while in Chicago and ended up losing the team, leading to his unceremonious firing.
While there are some in the Bulls community who write off Markkanen’s devolution as part of the Boylen failure, others soured on him and don’t see him as part of the long-term future.
Is there an opportunity for the Pelicans?
Markkanen would be an intriguing fit next to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, as he would give them a legit stretch-four who can get buckets consistently. Markkanen is not much of a defender, but the Pelicans would have one of the most dynamic offenses in the league with Markkanen on board.
So what would it take to get him?
Would the Pelicans be able to steal Markkanen without giving up any of their core? Are the Bulls interested in a full reboot or are do they think they can contend in the East?
Here’s a look at a possible trade for Lauri Markkanen.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trade for Lauri Markkanen of the Chicago Bulls
It’s hard to know what the Chicago Bulls might want out of a trade for Lauri Markkanen. Even though his numbers went down, he is still a young player with a lot of talent who isn’t making much money.
Markkanen only has one year left on his contract and has expressed some amount of disgust with the Bulls organization, but that seemed mostly to be aimed at Boylen.
Nevertheless, the Bulls might not be confident in re-signing Markkanen, who will almost certainly want to test the waters of free agency if the Bulls stink again.
Could the Pelicans take advantage? Here is a trade that might work:
Depending on which team you cheer for, this trade might seem lopsided. If you are a Pels fan, this may seem like a lot to give up for a guy who only has one year left on his deal.
If you’re a Bulls fan, you may want at least one established player back in this deal instead of an extra draft pick.
Both sides would have to consider it though, and there would be some benefits to either team.
New Orleans Pelicans: Trade with the Chicago Bulls for Lauri Markkanen
Why the Bulls would do it
The Bulls would do this trade if they sense Lauri Markkanen is unhappy with the organization and is not going to sign an extension.
There is no indication that the Bulls are trying to shop him, but if they feel he is going to walk for nothing, then his name is going to be out there.
After a down season, Markkanen is not going to fetch the haul he once would have, but he is still a potential All-Star talent and provides a skill most teams covet, which is big man shooting and playmaking.
In this trade the Bulls get some depth for their bench in Nicolo Melli, who is not nearly the scorer Markkanen is but can still stretch the floor.
They also get a talented project in Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who showed flashes last season and may just need more reps to realize his potential. Both players are on value contracts and would give the Bulls additional weapons to go around Zach LaVine.
In addition, they get another lottery pick in this draft, plus a first rounder in next year’s draft, which would likely be the big attraction for the Bulls. They’d have a chance to add a 1st round talent in NAW plus two more lottery picks in this draft and a protected 1st round pick in next.
This would make the Bulls the youngest team in the NBA, which is something that might not appeal to a franchise that hasn’t been successful in a long time. But if the Bulls could add the #4 and #13 picks and NAW they’d at least have to consider it.
Billy Donovan may not be the coach for such a young team, and the Bulls may prefer a proven player rather than two picks, but if they decide to blow it up, this would be a way for them to get back a lot of assets that they could then flip in another trade.
If the Bulls want to rebuild, this is one way to do it.
Chicago Bulls trade Lauri Markkanen to the New Orleans Pelicans
Why the Pelicans would do it
The New Orleans Pelicans are in a position very similar to where Boston was a few years ago. They have a load of young players and a ton of draft assets, but they have to decide how best to use them.
Do you just keep adding young players and hope you find another star in the draft or do you push your assets into the middle of the table and try to trade for one?
If the Pelicans do the latter, Markkanen makes a lot of sense. He is the right age to grow and develop with the rest of the Pelicans’ core and he is a great basketball fit as a stretch-four.
The Pelicans’ offense would be versatile and dynamic with Markkanen, allowing them to play Zion at center at times when they go small, or even put Ingram at the two and Markkanen at the three if they wanted to go big.
Markkanen would help balance the Pelicans’ roster, which has too many guards and not enough forwards and they wouldn’t have to give up a key piece of the team to do it.
Melli is a luxury for the Pelicans right now, as they need wings who can either score more consistently or play defense and Melli does neither. NAW is a nice prospect but it’s hard to see how he fits in the Pels’ future unless they move on from Jrue Holiday.
I am not a fan of sitting on picks, as you can only have so many rookies on one team, so giving up future draft picks is not a concern. The Pelicans would still have their own first rounder next year and plenty of young talent already in the fold.
Markkanen could be the fourth star next to Zion, Ingram and Lonzo Ball for the long-term, which is why the Pelicans should be willing to give up possibility in the draft for someone who is more proven.
Markkanen is one of many players the Pelicans might be able to pry away from their situation, and if they could do it without giving up too much, they should give the Bulls a call.