Chicago Bulls Fans Ecstatic With The Lauri Markkanen Trade

For a while now, it has looked like a foregone conclusion that Lauri Markkanen will not be wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey when next season rolls around.

Markkanen wants to be a starter, and it doesn’t appear that that the Bulls will have a spot on their revamped roster.

It was recently reported that Markkanen wanted to join Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks next season. But unfortunately, Lauri will have to settle for Cleveland.

It was announced on Friday that the Bulls were shipping Lauri Markkanen to the Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade.

ESPN Sources: Cleveland’s acquiring Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen in three-way sign and trade with Portland. Bulls get Derrick Jones Jr., POR’s lottery protected future 1st and Cavs’ future second-rounder. POR gets Larry Nance Jr. https://t.co/CgN3mhaLHY

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 27, 2021

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It felt like Bulls fans had enough of Lauri Markkanen after he didn’t take the next step in his development under Billy Donovan last season, and when Bulls fans heard they were getting a player back and two draft picks, they were beyond excited.

You are telling me that the Chicago Bulls are getting a player and two draft picks for Lauri Markkanen!?!?

In AK I Trust!

— Daniel Greenberg (@ChiSportUpdates) August 27, 2021

Lauri Markkanen, Garrett Temple, and Daniel Theis were all free agents this offseason.

Arturas Karnisovas turned them into:
– Derrick Jones Jr., a first round pick, and a second round pick
– Lonzo Ball (with Sato)
– $9m trade exception

A literal wizard. League fleeced. pic.twitter.com/JdN0YEliyH

— Artūras Karnišovas Fan Club (@arturasfanclub) August 27, 2021

Have fun in Cleveland Lauri pic.twitter.com/kaXgdY04CT

— Barstool Chicago (@barstoolchicago) August 27, 2021

https://twitter.com/FlamesYolo/status/1431294112993628173

The #Bulls managed to get two draft picks (including a first-rounder!) and a solid bench player for Lauri Markkanen.

Arturas Karnisovas, you absolute legend.

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) August 27, 2021

Have fun in Cleveland, Lauri pic.twitter.com/Bfh1mdHoYV

— Patrick Williams Fan Club (@patwillfanclub) August 27, 2021

Lauri Markkanen could go on to a long, successful career in the NBA. He still possesses a unique ability to shoot and finish at the rim which poses an issue for opposing defenses. But it simply wasn’t working in Chicago.

Whether he didn’t fit with the other star players on the Bulls, coaching staff, or just needed a change of scenery, it was time for Markkanen to move on.

He knew it, Bulls fans knew it, and the front office knew it.

The Lauri Markkanen trade is just the latest reason why Chicago Bulls fans are all-in on the offseason president Arturas Karnisovas has had so far.

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