INDIANAPOLIS — When Lauri Markkanen came to the Bulls, Nikola Mirotic wore No. 44. Markkanen thus couldn’t use the number that his father wore at Kansas.
So, in a nod to his days growing up as a guard, he picked No. 24 because he loved Kobe Bryant.
Some players throughout the league are now changing their numbers from No. 24 and No. 8 to honor Bryant, who had both retired by the Lakers before his tragic death on Sunday. But Markkanen and Zach LaVine, who wears No. 8, are keeping theirs.
“You can’t really go wrong with either decision,” Markkanen said.