Players to send to Nola for Lonzo Ball No. 2: Wendell Carter Jr.
The ability of third-year former Duke Blue Devils center Wendell Carter Jr. to fit into this new reserve role down the stretch this season could be the ultimate determining factor as to whether he remains with this team over the long haul. The 6-foot-10 and 270 pound 21-year-old Georgia native WCJ hit the bench for the first time in his NBA career since the All-Star Break let out on March 11.
The Bulls are now going on six straight games where WCJ came off the bench. The starting frontcourt for Donovan and the Bulls now sits with fourth-year power forward Lauri Markkanen (who is essentially playing at the five now) and veteran forward Thaddeus Young (playing at the four).
If Markkanen is able to stay healthy the rest of the way, then it will be a functional starting forward/big man unit for the Bulls to run with “The Finnisher”, “Thagic Johnson”, and rookie forward Patrick Williams.
Moreover, WCJ has provided the Bulls with mixed results in the five games he’s played in as a reserve. He’s averaged 8.2 points per game, 7.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, around 0.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks. And WCJ shot 41.9 percent from the field, perfect on a single attempt from beyond the arc, and 73.7 percent from the charity stripe. That was good for a 52.1 true shooting percentage.
It’s clear that the role of WCJ with this team under the new front office regime and coaching staff has dipped greatly. As he’s soon to enter the final year of his rookie contract, dealing him for a player that could have a more prominent role with the team like Lonzo could be a good move for Karnisovas at the deadline.