Stock Watch: The Chicago Bulls Risers and Fallers

Chicago Bulls (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Wendell Carter Jr. – Stats: 12.8/9.3, 52.6 FG%/73.3 FT%, .543 eFG

Wendell Carter Jr. has dealt with a myriad of injuries in his short career. He missed 44 games last season and then missed all but one game in the preseason. It was valuable time missed for and he was still working himself back into shape once the regular season began. Though he nearly managed a double-double, he hit less than 50 percent of his shots.

The next game he struggled with fouls, something he struggled with last year, finishing with seven points and seven rebounds against Memphis. He only took four shots but went hit three of his four free throws before fouling out.

The following night against Toronto he got his double-double, posting a 12/11 stat line. He was also only called for three personal fouls in that game. The Bulls lost and Carter only hit 42.9 percent of his shots but it was evident that he was rounding into shape, essentially using the first few games as a preseason.

Carter was solid against the New York Knicks recording his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 boards. He also had three blocks after just two total over the first three games.

He regressed against Cleveland and Tristan Thompson and Kevin Love combined for 40 points and 30 rebounds. Carter is either still getting into shape, possibly playing out of position, or the Bulls just need to play Daniel Gafford more because they need better defense.