Where former members of the Chicago Bulls core are at now?
Wendell Carter Jr., C
The final former Bulls player on this list that is now playing elsewhere at this point in time is the former Duke Blue Devils big man WCJ. Getting shipped off to the Orlando Magic at the trade deadline this year in the deal that got the Bulls star center Nikola Vucevic and veteran forward Al-Farouq Aminu, WCJ is now a part of another young core.
WCJ is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract next season. And if the Magic find value in what he brings to the table within the next 12-18 months, he could return to Orlando after he hits restricted free agency for the first time next summer. WCJ was solid for them down the stretch, and the possibility does exist that they sign him to a contract extension this offseason.
In 22 games that WCJ played in with the Magic post-deadline, he averaged a career-best 11.7 points per game, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks. And he shot 49.3 percent from the field, 24.1 percent from beyond the arc, and 72.1 percent from the free-throw line.
Lauri Markkanen, PF
Moving into the portion of the list among the members of the Bulls’ former young core, the fourth-year power forward and seven-footer Markkanen might not be around too much longer in the Windy City. The writing is on the wall that the Bulls don’t want to keep Markkanen around for much longer.
During the regular season, Markkanen was in the midst of the final year of his rookie contract. And he did lose his starting role with the Bulls down the stretch. If the price to bring Markkanen back is pretty cheap for Karnisovas and the Bulls, then it makes sense to give him a serious look in restricted free agency.
In the season that was, Markkanen averaged 13.6 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.5 steals, and 0.3 blocks. And he shot 48.0 percent from the field, 40.2 percent from beyond the arc, and 82.6 percent from the free-throw line.