Bulls season preview: Wendell Carter could join Lauri Markkanen as foundational piece

As part of the Jimmy Butler trade during the 2017 draft, the Bulls used the No. 7 pick on a big man with 3-point range.

With the No. 7 pick in the 2018 draft, the Bulls did it again.

Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. are far from the same player, but each is a modern big that will be able to adapt as the pace and space movement grows in the coming years. Based on Markkanen’s rookie season and Carter’s performance at summer league and in preseason, the Bulls appear to have found their frontcourt of the future.

Markkanen earned a spot on the All-Rookie First-Team in a loaded draft class by averaging 15.2 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 43.4 percent from the field. He also shot 36.2 percent on three-pointers with nearly half of his field goal attempts coming from beyond the arc.

The 7-footer bulked up in the offseason to 240 pounds, which will help him on the boards and on defense. After allowing 110 points per game last season, the Bulls need all the help they can get on that end of the floor.

Chicago needs their latest first-round big man to be a difference maker on defense. In his only season at Duke, Carter primarily played zone defense alongside fellow lottery pick Marvin Bagley III and he needs to gain weight to play center in the NBA. Concerns about his defensive abilities should be alleviated by a strong showing at summer league (2.6 blocks) and during the preseason.

Like any rookie, it will take time for Carter to fully adjust to the nuances of NBA defense, particularly the pick and roll, but the early returns on his rim protection skills are promising. He’ll have a great mentor on the defensive end in Robin Lopez.

Carter is more ready to produce on the offensive end after he was overshadowed by Bagley at Duke. He shot 41.3 percent from beyond the arc for the Blue Devils and has already flaunted a refined post game with the Bulls.

The NBA is increasingly moving toward a style where three-point shooting is a necessity at all five positions, and the Bulls front office deserves credit for drafting two big men who fit the mold. Fred Hoiberg will find creative ways to maximize their combined abilities.

X-Factor

Chicago’s decision to match Sacramento’s $78 million offer sheet to Zach LaVine raised eyebrows across the league. The two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion struggled in his return from a torn ACL, shooting just 38.3 percent from the floor.

LaVine should see improvement this year, but he will need to do more than merely return to his previous form to live up to his contract. Even when he averaged 18.9 points during his final season in Minnesota, advanced statistics exposed him as an inefficient player. Combined with his defensive shortcomings, Chicago placed a sizable bet on LaVine with little prior evidence that it will pay off. His preseason performance was encouraging, however, as he appears to have regained his explosiveness and was more aggressive attacking the basket.

He averaged 17.8 points on 51.7 percent shooting from the field and 43.8 percent on three-pointers. With an elbow injury costing Markkanen the start of the season, LaVine will have to shoulder more of the scoring load for Chicago.

Outlook

The Bulls have given Hoiberg a roster filled with offensive weapons and three-point shooting. What they’ve failed to do, however, is find any wing defenders. LaVine and Jabari Parker are two below-average defenders and the Bulls are going to hemorrhage points when they play together. Just check out this “defense” they played in the preseason:

Chicago gave up 110 points per game last season and there’s no reason to expect improvement on that end. The Bulls are paying LaVine and Parker a combined $39.5 million this season and both need to improve their effort and intensity on defense.

The Bulls won’t be a threat to make the playoffs with the lack of quality defenders on the roster. On the bright side, they could find themselves an attractive free agent destination next summer. With Markkanen, Carter and a 2019 lottery pick in tow, the Bulls could open up close to $50 million in salary cap room if they decide to not exercise Parker’s $20 million option.

If LaVine can build off his preseason success, the Bulls could enter free agency with max cap space and four building block pieces to entice free agents. There is a realistic roadmap for the Bulls to return to relevance in the near future.