Does this trade make sense for the Chicago Bulls?
It’s clear that Lauri Markkanen is not going to be a member of the Chicago Bulls for the long-term. He doesn’t want to be there and the team has since made moves that no longer require him to be a member of their core.
If the Bulls do not choose to partake in a sign-and-trade deal this offseason, it’s likely that Markkanen will take the qualifying offer and then re-enter free agency next offseason. The only issue is that Markkanen would instead be an unrestricted free agent, unlike this go around.
Markkanen has already been reportedly eyeing the Mavericks as a preferred destination. Unless if he were to value taking a three-year deal with a team like the New Orleans Pelicans for more financial security, there truly aren’t much for options.
The Bulls need to avoid touching the tax line as well and taking back much for salary in a potential Markkanen sign-and-trade would put them at risk for that. This would especially be the case if the Mavericks were unable to get Markkanen to sign for a salary within the TPE limit of roughly $10.9 million in salary for 2021-22.
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As long as Markkanen is willing to take the necessary value to end up in Dallas, the Bulls should look to help make that happen. The team can use its trade exception and not have to send much for salary back to Chicago all the while gaining some value back for him.
