Chicago Bulls: 3 potential effects of the Lauri Markkanen injury

The starting lineup shifts

One of the most obvious changes I think we could see from the Bulls is a major shift in their starting five. Parker was most used to playing the power forward while with the Milwaukee Bucks. He excelled at that spot, but when he signed with the Bulls, they made it clear he would play the small forward position due to Markkanen having the four on lock down.

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Now, with Markkanen out, Parker could move to the four and excel there. If Parker does in fact excel, that might put the Bulls in an interesting position when Markkanen returns. But, it’s better to have a “good problem” than a negative one — we’ll worry about that when the time comes.

The big question is, who slides into the starting three spot? Currently, Denzel Valentine is also out with an injury. So, that leaves either veteran Justin Holiday or rookie Chandler Hutchison to take the reigns.

Personally, with your star player out, I see a huge opportunity for head coach Fred Hoiberg to throw the rookie out there and see what they have in him. Get Hutchison into the starting lineup and see what he can do in a “baptism by fire” type of development.

The Bulls don’t have a whole lot to lose now that Markkanen is out — except a few more games, which is expected.