Under Maintenance

We deeply apologize for interrupting your reading but Vendetta is currently undergoing some important maintenance! You may experience some layout shifts, slow loading times and dififculties in navigating.

What’s Going On With Lauri Markkanen?

Lauri Markkanen
Stacy Revere/Getty Images

Lauri Markkanen looked promising after his rookie and sophomore year in the NBA. But now, he has looked the worst in his whole career. There are a couple of things that it could be, but all I know is that his number has gotten worse and he looks worse than when he first came into the league. Sure, there’s been some added talent to the Bulls that could make his numbers go down, but Lauri Markkanen was supposed to be a cornerstone of this team.

Lauri Markkanen Stats

To show how much his numbers have dipped, I’ll provide his stats by season. In his rookie year, where his selection by the Bulls was highly criticized, he impressed with 15.2 PPG on 43.4% shooting and 7.5 RPG. At this point, people were thinking he could be pretty good. His sophomore season is when I started to like Lauri’s game and was looking like a real game-changer. He averaged 18.7 PPG on 43% shooting and 9 RPG. Very solid stats for a sophomore NBA player. Now, he only averages 14.7 PPG on 41.1% shooting and 6.8 RPG. What the heck happened?!

Well, let’s look at it. The Bulls signed Thaddeus Young and acquired Tomas Satoransky in a sign-and-trade. Thaddeus Young has been playing 22 minutes a game, which he primarily plays Lauri’s spot. That could be a factor. Satoransky usually plays the 1-3 position but he has been a positive acquisition for the Bulls that could affect Markkanen’s performance. Or Zach Lavine trying to be an All-Star this year could affect him. However, I think it’s the play of Wendell Carter that affects Markkanen the most. It seems like he has been a more reliable option down low for the Bulls and it has hurt Lauri’s numbers. Although, with the Bulls acquisitions it could just be that there’s not enough of the ball going around for him. Those players acquired have been crucial for the Bulls and now it has affected Lauri. However, Lauri Markkanen is still very young and is only in his 3rd season. He has plenty of his career to improve this game. He might be having a down year, but I expect him to sooner or later make an improvement to being the more relevant players in the league. I don’t think he’ll ever be a star, but he’ll be a solid player.

NBA SHORTS ON YOUTUBE, LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE

Popular Past Stories

Please hold while we search for your results.

Danny Wolf

Danny Wolf 2025 NBA Draft Profile 

Danny Wolf 2025 NBA Draft Profile  We are less than a week away from the 2025 NBA Draft! Today, we will be looking at Junior Michigan big man Danny Wolf.…

Read More
Alex Cora

Alex Cora Continues to Take the Path of Least Resistance After Devers Trade

Alex Cora Continues to Take the Path of Least Resistance After Devers Trade Alex Cora is putting on a clinic on how not to be a leader, and today we…

Read More
Boston Celtics

Consigliere Reacts: Brad Stevens Committed Trade Fraud with Kristaps Porzingis

Consigliere Reacts: Brad Stevens Committed Trade Fraud with Kristaps Porzingis You know where I stand (on the Kristaps Porzingis trade Brad Stevens just made). Let's take my opinion out of…

Read More
Kristaps Porzingis

Trade Grades: Celtics Trade Kristaps Porzingis In 3-Way Deal

Trade Grades: Celtics Trade Kristaps Porzingis In 3-Way Deal I'm not sure a a group of fans in a city have been screwed harder than the honest working people in…

Read More
Kristaps Porzingis

Celtics trade Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in three-team trade

Celtics trade Kristaps Porzingis to Hawks in three-team trade Less than 24 hours after trading Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers, the Boston Celtics have shipped big man Kristaps…

Read More
Theo Epstein

Where Is Theo Epstein? The Guy Who Hired Craig Breslow Is in Witness Protection

Where Is Theo Epstein? The Guy Who Hired Craig Breslow Is in Witness Protection Theo Epstein works for the Red Sox again. I'm just not sure anybody knows what he…

Read More
Cam Robinson

Elite Prospects Media Personality Cam Robinson Spread Lies About A Tomas Hertl Trade

Elite Prospects Media Personality Cam Robinson Spread Lies About A Tomas Hertl Trade Oh, boy. What a week it's been. What's funny is the theme remains the same. There are…

Read More
JoJo Parker

2025 MLB Draft Profile: JoJo Parker

2025 MLB Draft Profile: JoJo Parker Hit: 60 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55 There is no shortage of Short stops…

Read More
Derik Queen

Derik Queen 2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report

Derik Queen 2025 NBA Draft Scouting Report Derik Queen is one of the most skilled players in the 2025 NBA Draft. He's not without his flaws, but the Maryland product…

Read More