Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY SportsThe Miami Heat is reportedly among the teams that asked about Chicago Bulls striker Lauri Markkanen ahead of the March 25 deadline.
Miami is among the teams that asked about the cost of Bulls F Lauri Markkanen by source. @ 5ReasonsSports @ 5OTF_
(With bigger moves being discussed, it doesn’t look like it’s going to gain strength, in my opinion.)
– Greg Sylvander (@GregSylvander) March 23, 2021
Markkanen, 23, will be a restricted free agent at the end of the 2020-21 season.
Although Markkanen would provide Miami with an upgrade in the future, he would probably own several assets, as the Heat would be able to match any offer for him in a free agency if he negotiated for him.
This season, Markkanen is suffering injuries, but is running a recovery campaign under Billy Donovan.
The 23-year-old has an average of 17.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.3 percent of the field and 39.6 percent of the 3-point gap.
It is rumored that the Heat is looking for an update on its attacking court, but Markkanen’s asking price is likely to be too high for the Heat in the deadline.
Miami may be better off trying to acquire LaMarcus Aldridge from the San Antonio Spurs or testing the acquisition market.