Chicago Bulls: 5 takeaways from 2018 NBA Summer League
1. Wendell Carter Jr. is the real deal
It didn’t take long for Bulls fans to fall in love with their most recent lottery selection.
Over the course of five games, Wendell Carter Jr. put up 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game, flashing the two-way prowess that drew the attention of scouts everywhere during his lone season at Duke in 2018.
Carter hasn’t even stepped foot on an NBA court, and already he’s flashed a skill-set comparable to some of the most versatile big men in the game.
Not going to lie, been most impressed with Wendell Carter Jr. so far from all the rookies in Summer League. He's got almost the entire package: range, soft touch, rim protecting, unselfishness, hustle. If he ever gets stronger with attacking the rim and rebounding, look out, NBA.
— Naveen Ganglani (@naveenganglani) July 9, 2018
He can work out of the pick-and-roll with range out to the 3-point line. He can contain opposing ball-handlers and scurry back to protect the bucket. WCJ has proven to be the prototypical big man in this era of small ball.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Starting this season, with the ability to affect the game in so many different ways, Carter should be able to make an impact right away, and with time, should turn into one of the best on both ends of the court.