The Chicago Bulls and Lauri Markkanen are unlikely to agree to a contract extension before Monday evening's deadline.

Sources tell K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports that "the gap remains wide" as "talks on his rookie extension continued Sunday but sputtered on life support."

Markkanen previously told reporters he planned to pressure his agent to get a new deal done.

The 2021 free agency class has thinned out dramatically due to a number of high profile extensions, but many rival teams are expected to have ample cap space to pursue a player like Markkanen. 

The Chicago Bulls waived Zach Norvell Jr. and Simi Shittu, the team announced on Saturday.

The Bulls now have 15 guaranteed contracts on their roster, along with two two-way players. 

Host Danny Leroux (@DannyLeroux) and Arturo Galletti (@AmericanNumbers) break down the over/unders for the Eastern Conference.

They discuss the win total, division, conference and title odds as well as any pertinent individual award lines for the Knicks (9:52), Cavs (19:48), Pistons (28:38), Hornets (40:52), Bulls (50:01), Magic (1:00:08), Wizards (1:09:56), Hawks (1:21:22), Pacers (1:29:31), Raptors (1:33:59), 76ers (1:41:21), Heat (1:53:40), Celtics (2:00:53), Nets (2:09:20) and Bucks (2:16:54).

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The Chicago Bulls will waive Noah Vonleh. Vonleh was on a non-guaranteed contract with the Bulls.

Vonleh tested positive for COVID-19 and will begin a mandatory 10-day quarantine.

Vonleh is feeling good overall at this point.

Thad Young will miss the Chicago Bulls' preseason game against the Houston Rockets on Sunday due to a leg infection.

Billy Donovan said that Young has been dealing with the infection for a few weeks.

Donovan considers Young to be day-to-day with the injury.

"Things haven’t gotten worse. It’s gotten better for him. But I think the doctors want to keep a close eye on him with that infection and just make sure he’s healing properly," said Donovan. 

The New Orleans Pelicans have hired Gar Forman as a special advisor with a focus on scouting.

Forman was fired by the Chicago Bulls this year after spending more than two decades with the franchise. Forman began his career with the Bulls as a scout and then became general manager in 2009.

The Pelicans' front office is run by David Griffin and Trajan Langdon. 

Garrett Temple is currently isolating in a Chicago hotel after testing positive for COVID-19.

Temple tested positive on November 28th and is on track to return to the practice facility midweek.

Temple signed a one-year deal with the Bulls this offseason.