2017 NBA Draft: Markkanen gives Chicago Bulls massive upside as scorer

In Lauri Markkanen, the Chicago Bulls got a potentially dominant scorer, and perhaps more, in the 2017 NBA Draft.

After trading Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Chicago Bulls got to kick off their rebuild with the seventh-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The man they selected, Lauri Markkanen, embodies the modern NBA like perhaps no one else in this draft. And as such, who better to lead the Bulls into the future than him?

A 7’0”, Finnish forward out of Arizona, Markkanen vastly improves the Bulls’ front court depth and gives them the formidable option of putting him the floor with fellow seven-footer Robin Lopez. While he might not start immediately, he’s absolutely talented enough to crack the Bulls rotation early on.

Strengths

But let’s get to the real draw: his shooting.

When watching the highlights, it’s hard not to think he can be the Bulls’ version of Kristaps Porzingis. Last season, he shot a remarkable 42.3% from three-point range, which is even more ridiculous considering he’s a seven-footer. His quick, high release makes his shot nearly impossible to block, and his range easily extends past NBA three-point distance. He’s absolutely devastating in pick-and-roll action, forcing the defense to honor him lest they surrender an open triple. He runs off screens and can catch and shot like a natural shooting guard. One can go on and on, but to put it simply: this guy is positively lethal from behind the three-point line.

But think that threes are all he’s good for: the man can score from anywhere. Even if he gets run off the arch, he can put the ball on the floor and drive to the lane at seven feet tall. From there, he can finish with any variety of pull up jumpers, runners, or layups. Though he could stand put on a little weight, he’s tough enough to bull his way into the paint and get contested shots up.

And, if you put him in the post, he knows how to play offense there as well. For a young player, he’s polished enough to keep the ball away from defenders off the catch and can finish layups through contact. Then, when the ball goes up on the offensive glass, he fights inside for rebounds and tip-ins. Over a third of all his rebounds last season were offensive boards. In short, Markkanen flat-out knows how to score the basketball.

Needs to Improve

To be objective, though, Markkanen will need to grow as an all-around player.

He didn’t show much aptitude as a passer, averaging less than an assist per game. While that’s not awfully concerning in college since they clearly wanted him to score, the NBA will force him to be better in this aspect.

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Furthermore, he’s not much of a rim-protector, blocking less than a shot per contest. For a seven-footer, you expect a bit more, though perhaps professional coaching will help him improve as a defender. When Lopez isn’t on the floor, it would help if Markkanen could offer some rim-protection in his stead. And, as mentioned before, a few extra pounds will help him better deal with the physicality of the pro game.

This pick, however, was about adding offensive talent and upside, and Markkanen checks both boxes. Already a top-notch shooter—arguably the best in the draft—he helps a Bulls team that was 25^th in overall field goal percentage and 24^th in three-point percentage. And if he grows into his body and adds to his game, he could turn into an all-around force. One hesitates to mention Dirk Nowitski, but Chicago can hope, right? For now, perhaps let’s stick with Porzingis.

Next: Chicago Bulls draft Lauri Markkanen 7th-overall

That still sounds pretty good to me. With the Bulls building something new, I’d say a player like that fits in just fine.

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