3. Center
Center – Jusuf Nurkic (Drafted 16th Overall – 2014)
The other key component to the dreaded deal that brought McDermott to the Windy City, Jusuf Nurkic has come into his own the last couple of seasons, putting up 14.9 points and 9.6 boards for the Portland Trail Blazers in his two full seasons there. He averaged 15.2 points and 10.4 rebounds in the 20 games he spent with them in 2017.
A gruesome leg injury suffered in March kept the Bosnian Beast out of the postseason in 2019. But he averaged 11.8 points and 8 rebounds in 2018, including going for 18 points and 11 boards in game four.
From draft day trade chip to backup in Denver to starting pivot in Portland, the young big man has had some up-and-downs (currently in a down with the leg injury) but has shown he belongs in the NBA. If only the front office in Chicago felt like he belonged on their roster instead of Dougie McBuckets.
Backup – Wendell Carter Jr. (Drafted 7th Overall – 2018)
Wendell Carter Jr. had his rookie season ended after only 44 games. In that short time, he flashed some ability to be a solid two-way center. He had trouble with bigger centers but that was to be expected. An injury kept him out of summer league too so health might be something to watch with him. If he starts regularly taking and making threes his ceiling rises tremendously.
All-First-Round Team
The obstacles in the way of this having ever been a reality are multiple. From record altering draft position to the value of the contracts these players are currently on. It is also a group short on perimeter shooting. The best sniper is Harris which should tell you all you need to know. They would be a physical bunch, though, and there is something to be said for that.