What exactly do Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen bring to the Bulls?

Image source: espn.com

It’s worth noting that part of recent NBA news is the Bulls’ picking up of team options for three of its current players, Denzel Valentine, Kris Dunn, and Lauri Markkanen. All these players are currently injured and still on rookie-based contracts.

That the Bulls exercised team options for the three means that the team gets to keep them on rookie-scale deals for another NBA season. But what’s more important in this move is that it shows Chicago’s commitment to work on its current rebuild with these players in tow.

Markkanen and not LaVine was the expected go-to guy for the Bulls, but he suffered an elbow injury even before the season began, acquiring it during the first week of camp. Valentine sprained his ankle also during basketball camp, while Dunn had a sprained left MCL during the team’s first game versus Dallas.

Image source: abc7chicago.com

Markkanen and Dunn are obviously key figures in the new-look Bulls. Point guard Dunn is already a reliable option on offense and has displayed good court generalship. He can fight off screens to both shoot and pass and, more importantly, he is an aggressive defender. Dunn has a huge upside for his two-way play.

The Finnish Markkanen has already displayed his wares last season, coming up with solid averages of 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds. He likewise shoots the ball outside the three-point arc really well, recording a 36% clip from that range in his rookie year. He is clearly the guy to complement the game Zach LaVine on offense. LaVine is explosive when driving and posting up, while Markkanen should be able to spread the floor due to the outside threat he poses.

Richard Ohlhaber grew up in Chicago but is now based in Texas. He continues to be a huge fan of Chicago sports, especially of the Bulls and the Chicago Bears and the teams’ greatest players, Michael Jordan and Walter Payton. More NBA-related reads here.