NBA Draft 2017: Lauri Markkanen could be the Chicago Bulls' Kristaps Porzingis

June 23 (UPI) -- Chicago Bulls fans were saddened by the loss of Jimmy Butler, but the franchise might have added a Kristaps-Porzingis-like piece in rookie Lauri Markkanen.

The 7-footer from Finland went to the Bulls with the No. 7 overall pick Thursday in the 2017 NBA Draft. His height is great for rebounding and imposing for those driving to the rim, but his most impressive skill is his shooting range.

The New York Daily News reported that Markkanen hit 19 consecutive corner 3-pointers during his workout for the Boston Celtics.

According to his NBA Draft profile, his pros include: length, agility, perimeter shooting, being a matchup problem and being competitive. His cons are: strength, rebounds and interior defense. The scouting report tagged him as "the next Kristaps Porzingis."

"Both players are perimeter-oriented offensive players who are invredibly agile and athletic for their height," the NBA.com report said. "Markkanen has a quick and high release and is a very efficient 3-point shooter in volume. He has soft hands around the basket and is more than capable of taking his defenders off the dribble with both hands, though he prefers to go left. He is able to hit all forms of shots, from pull-ups to trail-3s to catch-and-shoots to jumpers off of pin-downs and curls. His combination of shooting ability, length, ball handling and quick first step will be difficult for defenses to defend off of pick-and-pops."

The Bulls acquired the lanky shooter after trading Butler and the No. 16 overall pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine and the No. 7 selection.

"This kid [Markkanen] is a stud," an NBA executive told Bleacher Report in 2016. "I've watched him over seven times -- his skill level and soft touch from outside are things one can't teach. Get guys to have him lower so we can steal him."

Markkanen, 20, averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds this season for Arizona. He was a Wooden Award finalist. He was a 42 percent 3-point shooter and made 49 percent of his shots from the floor.

"Definitely my biggest strength is stretch the floor, make shots and help the team," Markkanen told the Chicago Tribune. "I'm trying to be a complete player. Much of it is staying in the weight room and getting stronger."

He also told the Tribune that he is better at making NBA 3-pointers than he was at making them from the college distance.

Another point of comparison for Markkanen happened on Monday, when he met with New York Knicks president Phil Jackson. The Hall of Fame coach turned executive could have been eying Porzingis' replacement as reports surfaced about the Knicks shopping its 7-foot-3 Latvian sensation. Jackson said Wednesday that the franchise received calls from other teams about acquiring Porzingis, but nothing has materialized.

ESPN New York reported Thursday that the Celtics offered the No. 3 overall pick, a player and another lottery pick for Porzingis.

Porzingis, 21, was the No. 4 pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. He shot 35 percent from 3-point range this season, nearly 25 points better than his rookie campaign clip, despite 71 more attempts from downtown.

"I know the game is changing all the time," Markkanen told the Bulls website. "So there's more and more big guys who can shoot the ball and stretch the floor. But I don't think there's one similar, one exactly like me. I'm trying to learn from everyone and just play my own game."