Chicago Bulls: Otto Porter Jr. has all-star potential

Chicago Bulls fans and analysts keep talking up Zach LaVine and Lauri Markkanen. Do not overlook Otto Porter Jr.

If you do any type of Internet search on the Chicago Bulls, most results include Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen or 2019 rookie Coby White. Even Michael Jordan shows up. However, everyone seems to be overlooking Otto Porter Jr.

This Bulls team is missing the quote-on-quote superstar, but they have some solid players. With LaVine coming into his own and Markkanen continuing to grow, the team should be able to compete for a playoff spot. Both players should push to become all-stars. Could they have a third potential all-star in Otto Porter Jr.?

The Bulls traded for Otto Porter Jr. last season, in exchange for Jabari Parker, Bobby Portis, and a protected 2023 second-round draft pick. I like Portis, but he’s a replaceable player. Porter has more upside. He has all-star potential, something Portis lacks.

As of now, rumors have the starting five for the Bulls as Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Otto Porter Jr., Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. I do not foresee Dunn holding off Coby White or veteran Tomas Satoransky. Dunn was a weak link in 2018 and the Bulls cannot afford him starting again in 2019.

Porter should see steady minutes again this upcoming season though. He had a career year last season in points scored with 17.5. He achieved this all while maintaining his other categories in the process.

No one should expect Porter to become a superstar. He was drafted No. 3 overall by the Washington Wizards in the 2013 NBA Draft. He clearly had potential, but if he was going to become a superstar he would have already.

What Porter has become is a solid and consistent veteran starter. He will be making an impact for this team and has the ability to take over games when he gets hot. He should be the third scoring option most nights and that makes him and his role important.

Between LaVine, Markkanen, and Porter, those three have a combined average of 60 points per game. With the addition of other quality veterans in Thaddeus Young and Tomas Satoransky, this team is actually set up fairly well.

If the Chicago Bulls lose any one of LaVine, Markkanen or Porter for a significant amount of time this season, we might as well look forward to another lottery pick next NBA Draft. This trio may not be a “big three” like some of the more dominant teams have had in years past, but we can consider them a “little three”. This alone proves how important Porter is to this Bulls team.