Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic make up a strong Eastern Conference duo for the Chicago Bulls, but this team still seems to be missing some pieces to be a true playoff threat. Making the move to bring in Vucevic at the NBA trade deadline last season was surely a statement move by Chicago, but could also mean the end of Lauri Markkanen’s time with the team. 

Lauri Markkanen was drafted 7th overall by the Bulls in 2017 and he has played very well in his four years with Chicago. In a total of 221 games with the Bulls, Markkanen has averaged 15.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and has shot 36.6% from three-point range. 

Standing about 7-feet tall with the ability to be a dangerous pick-and-roll big man because of his ability to knock down perimeter shots, Markkanen’s market is surprisingly quiet this offseason, but the San Antonio Spurs are a team rumored to have interest in him. 

With DeMar DeRozan, Rudy Gay and Patty Mills all being veteran free agents for the Spurs this offseason, nobody really knows what to expect from San Antonio, but they seem to be wanting to add more dynamic, young talents to their roster. They did so by adding Joshua Primo with the No. 12 pick in the draft and could look to do so again by adding 24-year-old Markkanen in free agency. 

READ MORE: NBA Rumors: 5 stars next to move following Lakers’ Russell Westbrook trade

However, Lauri Markkanen is a restricted free agent right now, giving Chicago all the leverage in contract negotiations with him. He could very well end up leaving the Bulls and signing elsewhere, but not before the Bulls have the chance to match any offer sheet he signs. 

As a result, a sign-and-trade is the only plausible way the Spurs could get Markkanen at the start of free agency, but this would result in them becoming hard-capped. San Antonio is interested in Markkanen and for the sake of a sign-and-trade being done, let’s see what this deal could look like.