Chicago Bulls: Predicting player stats in 2019-2020
Lauri Markkanen
Lauri Markkanen is going to have a very similar season to what Zach LaVine experienced last year: major growth into an All-Star-caliber player, but will fail to receive an actual All-Star bid. He will without a doubt deserve a spot on an All-Star team, but I don’t see any way that a fringe-lottery team would have two NBA All-Stars.
Just as he has in his first two years, expect Markkanen to put up very similar numbers to Kristaps Porzingis, but just slightly better. Lauri has yet to have a full healthy season, and with no problems yet this offseason, Markkanen seems to be primed for a breakout season. If he is able to play somewhere inside of 70 games this season, the Bulls could see a star in the making, as he is an early candidate for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award.
Consistency will be key for Markkanen in 2019-2020. His field goal percentage has never been phenomenal due to the amount of three point shots he takes. However, if he is able to improve his efficiency in the post and in his mid-range game, Markkanen could establish himself as one of the top power forwards in the game. Markkanen’s defensive game will need to improve also, as he has all of the tools to be a solid shot blocker in the NBA. Nonetheless, health is the first step in Lauri taking the next step in his career.
2019-2020 predictions: 23.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, .7 steals, .7 blocks, 44% FG, 40% 3pt
Wendell Carter Jr.
In a rookie season plagued with injury and tanking, Wendell Carter Jr. was unable to show why he was thought of as one of the most NBA-ready prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft class. Much like Lauri Markkanen, a fully-healthy offseason could do wonders for the big man.
Carter’s stats are difficult to predict because we really do not know what he is capable of at the NBA level. The Al Horford comparisons are certainly reasonable, and our stat predictions are very close to those of Horford’s second professional season. It’s hard to knock Carter for an uneventful rookie campaign. We saw lots of potential as a two-way player, but fouls and injuries kept him from receiving significant time on the floor.
One thing that was expected of Wendell that he did not show was an outside game. If he is able to knock down a three here and there next season, his offensive game could improve mightily. In addition to this, having a better point guard to run the pick-and-roll with could be huge for his development. However, all of this is contingent on his health and his foul troubles.
2019-2020 predictions: 13.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.3 steals, 2.1 blocks, 54% FG, 30% 3pt