Former All-Arena Football League offensive lineman Michael Huey joins Rattlers ahead of the playoffs.

NEW YORK - For Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen, Thursday’s NBA Draft wasn’t about surprise as much as awkwardness. And it actually started about a half-hour before he took the stage.

At that point early in the draft, the Timberwolves were reportedly working to trade their No. 7 pick to Chicago. Minnesota wound up trading the pick, plus Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn, for Jimmy Butler.

Markkanen’s agent, Michaelk Lelchitski, said he found out about it just before the evening started. But even though news of the trade had spread before the No. 7 pick was announced, Markkanen was given a Timberwolves hat to wear on stage. He knew he wasn’t heading for Minnesota, even if the announcers didn’t.

Even though the Timberwolves were the team Markkanen followed as a fan growing up in Finland, Markkanen was quite aware the Bulls have some pretty appealing history.

“I’m really honored to be part of this organization, and can’t wait to go there and do what I can,” Markkanen said. “It’s just a blessing to be (a Bull). And of course with Michael Jordan, greatest player ever to play, it’s huge to be a part of it.”

By going No. 7, Markkanen ties Damon Stoudamire (1995) as the fifthhighest draft pick taken out of Arizona. Derrick Williams (2011) and Mike Bibby (1998) were No. 2 picks, while Sean Elliott went No. 3 in 1989 and Aaron Gordon was No. 4 in 2014.

Markkanen gives the Bulls a shooter they lacked last season. He averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds while shooting 49.2 percent from the field and 42.3 from 3-point range in his lone season at Arizona. And he has little doubt his shot will translate to the NBA. The Arizona Daily Star and Associated Press contributed to this report.