Lauri Markkanen’s fit in the Bulls’ offense is the biggest question facing the franchise, Mark Schanowski of NBC Sports Chicago writes. The organization must figure out if he can become a consistent 20-point, 10-rebound player. There will probably be little roster turnover, but the organization is likely to allow point guard Kris Dunn to walk. The Bulls would have to give Dunn a $7.1 million qualifying offer to make him a restricted free agent but they are already deep at point guard.
We have more Eastern Conference news:
- Swingman Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk at minimum established himself as a solid rotation player with the potential to be a key piece for the Pistons, according to Keith Langlois of the team’s website. Mykhailiuk doused the perception that he’s just a 3-point shooter by displaying his offensive versatility this season, including times when he functioned as a primary ballhandler. Detroit holds a $1.66 million option on Mykhailiuk’s contract for next season, and there is little question that it will exercise it, Langlois adds.
- The Pistons will have a Top 10 draft pick and they’ve been buried in film study during the hiatus, Rod Beard of the Detroit News writes. Detroit had the fifth-worst record when play was halted. “The whole league is watching video,” senior adviser Ed Stefanski said. “We’ve seen some (of the top prospects). Everyone has a bank of information on players, so we’re all in the same boat.”
- Magic forward Jonathan Isaac is continuing his rehab from a severe knee sprain, even though Orlando’s practice facility is shuttered, as Josh Robbins of The Athletic details. Isaac, who suffered a severe knee sprain at the beginning of the year, is following a workout program designed by the team’s training staff from his home. “They’ve got a detailed layout of everything that I’ve got to do,” he said. “They send it to me, and I get it done. But it works. I like it that way. I know what I’ve got to do each day, and I put some music on, and I knock it out.”
