By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Despite raising doubts concerning his future at the Chicago Bulls, Lauri Markkanen has been set to become a restricted free agent after his team extended the qualifying offer, reports Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Markkanen, 24, has spent the last four seasons attached to the Bulls. He was a regular starter until Nikola Vucevic and Daniel Theis arrived in January pushing him out of the first unit. Rumors surfacing since have suggested him moving away from Chicago this offseason.
The Bulls can match a contract sheet and retain the Finnish power forward, under his restricted free agent status. Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley can also expand their options regarding a potential sign-and-trade deal. In short, it is still pretty complicated.
The European star, the 7th pick of the 2017 NBA draft out of Arizona, logged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season. He has 15.6 points per appearance over his four seasons.
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