No Extension For Markkanen Before Deadline, Will Be Free Agent In 2021

Yes, Markkanen did not receive a contract extension before the deadline, making him a free agent in the summer of 2021. However, he will be a restricted free agent, meaning the Bulls can match any offer sheet he receives from another team.

The Bulls' new front office, led by Arturas Karnisovas, didn't want to commit $75-90 million to a player who took a significant step backward last season and has yet to prove he's the long-term answer. Karnisovas is playing the long game and waiting to see what Markkanen can become.

Boylen had no idea how to use Markkanen as a stretch power forward, and his constant pressure and public criticism of young players likely weighed heavily on Markkanen. Markkanen also played 338 fewer minutes under Boylen compared to his rookie season.

Yes, because Markkanen is a restricted free agent, the Bulls have the right to match any offer sheet another team gives him and retain his services.

Markkanen needs to show he can progress toward being an elite stretch big who can do it all on both ends of the floor, similar to the impact players like Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have on their teams. Without that kind of development, the Bulls front office will likely move in a different direction.