Lauri Markkanen is no stranger to playing the five.
As a matter of fact, some of his best basketball has been when he’s moved over from that four and played big man. See February of 2019 for a reminder.
New Bulls coach Billy Donovan obviously saw that film.
For the second consecutive game, Donovan has leaned on Markkanen at the five with the second unit, and been creative in how he’s done it.
Like he did against Golden State on Sunday, Donovan gives Markkanen the quick hook – around the six-minute mark of the first quarter – lets him get a blow on the bench for a few minutes, and then puts him back in for starting center Wendell Carter Jr.