Chicago Bulls: Bold predictions for Wendell Carter Jr. in 2018-2019

Bold Prediction No. 2

Carter will finish the season averaging a double-double

Looking at how the Bulls’ current projected starting five is assembled, Carter figures to be the main candidate to spend the majority of his time down low. Lauri Markkanen, while playing the four, is also someone who moves around often and gets up a large amount of three-point shots.

With Carter being mostly an inside-out type of player, as previously noted, he should be in a prime position to lead this team in rebounds. At Duke, even while playing next to Bagley, Carter put up 9.1 rebounds per game.

On the Bulls, he won’t have another force down low to hamper his rebounding numbers. Sure, Markkanen is a better rebounder than some may have initially projected. But, Carter is a natural defender and rebounder at the center spot. He will be the guy the Bulls depend on to make the plays which lead to easy buckets — i.e. a fast break.

It likely won’t be too tough for Carter to put up over 10 points per game, as if he is a starter and already an efficient scorer, the points should come. I fully expect to see his rebounding numbers exceed double digits, though. This is not out of any realm of possibility.

Averaging a double-double in the NBA is a difficult task. But, I believe Carter is a special player and could have been slightly overlooked throughout the draft process. He is about to show just why he will end up being the best big man to come out of Duke this year.