Chicago Bulls: 3 players with a lot to prove in group workouts

1) Chicago Bulls players with a lot to prove in group workouts: Wendell Carter Jr.

The last name on this list is also the most important of the three here to the Bulls rebuild heading into its fourth year. Former Duke Blue Devils center and the 6-foot-9 and 270 pound Atlanta, GA, native Wendell Carter Jr. had a good start to his second year in the NBA, but it didn’t finish off so well.

The good news for WCJ is that he won’t have as much pressure on his shoulders to improve consistently as the rookie former North Carolina Tar Heels point guard Coby White, or as much to bounce back as power forward Lauri Markkanen. But he’ll need to show that his offensive arsenal is expanding while he’s still making good use of his intelligence and physical tools on defense in his third year in the NBA.

In his second year in the NBA, WCJ played in 43 games (all of which he started in). WCJ actually played in one less game during the 2019-20 regular season compared to his rookie campaign. Both seasons he missed significant time due to varying injury concerns. Hopefully that will clear up come next season.

WCJ averaged 11.3 points per game, 9.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks. He shot 53.4 percent from the field, 20.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 73.7 percent from the free-throw line. The shooting stroke, court vision, and pure defensive ability makes WCJ as a special talent for the Bulls, but he has to start trending upward and staying healthy on a more consistent basis.