Chicago Bulls: Predicting starting five pre-Training Camp

Center

2018-19 Starter: Wendell Carter Jr./Robin Lopez

Projected 2019-20 Starter: Wendell Carter Jr.

If the Chicago Bulls are to put together a quality starting five this season, it will have to include a healthy and productive center that is likely to be the former Duke product and second-year big man Wendell Carter Jr. Last season, Carter Jr. played in just 44 games before going down with a season-ending injury.

Carter Jr. is fighting a sports hernia injury that could limit him in Training Camp. He needs to get back healthy and ready to go before the outset of the 2019-20 regular season. Getting at least one or two games during the preseason could also help the fortunes of Carter Jr. and the Bulls altogether this season.

The depth at center was held up last season by the presence of veteran Robin Lopez. But he is gone now and the backup role could either fall to the Bulls 2019 second round draft pick Daniel Gafford or the former New York Knicks big man Luke Kornet.

Yet, a player efficiency rating of 15.2 and 1.9 win shares in just 44 games played showed the value that Carter Jr. can bring to the table for Boylen and the Bulls. But Boylen didn’t get much time at all as the interim head coach last season to make an impact on Carter Jr.

What is set to happen in the coach-player relationship between Boylen and Carter Jr. this season?