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Malika AndrewsESPN
The Bulls have exercised their third-year option on forward Lauri Markkanen and the fourth-year options on guards Kris Dunn and Denzel Valentine.
Dunn, Valentine and Markkanen have all missed extended time this season due to injury. Markkanen, who management has labeled as a franchise building block, injured his elbow during training camp. The 21-year-old is expected to return as early as mid-to-late November. Bobby Portis replaced Markkanen in the starting line up early on, but last week he suffered a sprained MCL. Rookie Chandler Hutchison has picked up those minutes.
Valentine was initially diagnosed with a sprained ankle and was expected to miss two weeks, but another examination revealed he had suffered a bone bruise and would miss more time.
On Oct. 23, coach Fred Hoiberg announced Dunn would miss 4-6 weeks with a sprained MCL. He has already missed two games due to the birth of his son. Cameron Payne has replaced Dunn at starting point guard.
Markkanen and Dunn were acquired through a draft night trade with Minnesota last season that also landed Zach LaVine on the Bulls in exchange for Jimmy Butler and a 2017 draft pick. Last season, Markkanen averaged 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists. His performance earned him All-Rookie first team selection.
Dunn averaged averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 6 assists per game last year.
Valentine, who was drafted 14th by Chicago in 2016, averaged 10.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 27.2 minutes per game.