Projecting Chicago Bulls rotation for regular season
Center: Wendell Carter Jr.
One of the staples for the Bulls frontcourt rotation this season will definitely be the third-year 6-foot-9 and 270 pound former Duke Blue Devils center Wendell Carter Jr. Another Bulls player that was very hot out of the gates last season, but slowed down as the season waned, was WCJ. His play needs to be more even-keeled this season compared to the last two.
Similar to the situation that Markkanen found himself in last season, WCJ needs to have a big third year in the NBA for this Bulls team in the fourth year of the rebuild. If WCJ wants to get a valuable contract extension next offseason, then he will need to prove his worth to this frontcourt rotation this season, under Donovan’s direction.
The addition of Donovan as head coach, instead of Boylen, should greatly benefit WCJ. His usage could be much more fine tuned to his skill set on both ends of the floor, which will do nothing by benefit him over the long haul.
During the shortened 2019-20 regular season, WCJ played in 43 games for the Bulls (all of which he started in). And he averaged 11.3 points per game, 9.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks. WCJ shot 53.4 percent from the field, 20.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 73.7 percent from the free-throw line.
Basketball-Reference projects WCJ to average 14.8 points per 36 minutes, 11.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and 1.3 blocks, during the 2020-21 season. And he’s projected to shoot 52.5 percent from the field, 26.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 76.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Last season, WCJ played in 29.2 minutes per game. That mark could see an uptick if he’s able to stay healthy this season, for the first time in his NBA career, and stay consistent on the court.