The Charlotte Hornets have emerged with strong interest in signing Lauri Markkanen to an offer sheet.

Markkanen received interest from the San Antonio Spurs as part of the DeMar DeRozan sign-and-trade, but the contract he was seeking made them instead take on Thaddeus Young, according to previous reports.

Markkanen averaged 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds in 25.8 minutes over 51 games last season with the Chicago Bulls. Markkanen averaged a career high 18.7 points and 9.0 rebounds in his second NBA season.

Restricted free agents can begin signing offer sheets on Friday.