The future of fourth-year forward Lauri Markkanen ruled headlines throughout the Chicago Bulls 2020-2021 campaign, and the lack of a resolution is bleeding into their offseason.

After failing to come to terms on an extension to keep the 24-year old in the Windy City moving forward, a trade was always the most likely route for both sides.

That much was made particularly clear when the March trade deadline passed, and Markkanen remained in Chicago.

Everyone expected the Bulls to revisit trade talks for the seven-footer once the offseason came around.

And they have, but the projected market for Markkanen has now dried up, just seven days into free agency, leaving both parties in a sort of twilight zone.

With their asking price now revealed by insider Marc Stein, it’s no surprise there’s no traction on a sign-and-trade.

As he goes on to note, the lack of other options isn’t helping Markkanen find his way out of Chicago.