Fansided

The most important player on each and every NBA team this season

By Ti Windisch

CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - JUNE 08: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers defended by Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 8, 2018 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 31
Next
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 6: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on April 6, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 6: Lauri Markkanen #24 of the Chicago Bulls is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of the Boston Celtics during a game at TD Garden on April 6, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bulls — Lauri Markkanen

The Chicago Bulls have plenty of young players on the roster at the moment, and a solid argument could be made for a few of them. Wendell Carter Jr. in particular could make a great case as the Bulls’ most important player in his rookie season. For now, though, we’ll go with a slightly more proven commodity: Lauri Markkanen.

Markkanen had a thrilling rookie campaign, scoring 15.2 points per game while adding 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. The Finnish forward really found his spots from deep as well, as he nailed 36.2 percent of his 3-pointers in his first NBA season.

The 2017 No. 7 overall pick has a lot of the components needed in a star player: the ability to score, somewhat of a presence on and off the floor, and best of all a great nickname. The Finnisher seems like he is here to stay.

Many of Chicago’s other youngsters are too one-sided to be as important as Markkanen. Jabari Parker and Zach LaVine both are porous defenders, even if they do provide some exciting offensive moments. Kris Dunn, on the other hand, can really defend well but struggles to make an impact on the offensive end. All three of those young Bulls have had injury concerns crop up as well.

Markkanen missed 14 games in his rookie year himself, but he should be back and better than ever during the 2018-19 regular season. If Chicago tanks its way to a top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Makkanen could end up replaced, but for now he’s got to be the most important Chicago Bull.

Home/NBA