Chicago Bulls: 3 steps to solve their frontcourt logjam

The Chicago Bulls have some serious talent in their frontcourt. Are there enough minutes to go around, or will pieces have to be moved?

There is a such thing as a good problem, and the Chicago Bulls may have one. Last season, Lauri Markkanen proved to be a remarkable rookie. Bobby Portis had a breakout year as well. Despite this, the Bulls went out and drafted Wendell Carter Jr. and then signed combo forward Jabari Parker. Was it mentioned that they have three other centers currently on their roster?

Where exactly is the conflict? Basketball-Reference.com recorded Parker as having played 60 percent of his minutes at the power forward spot last season. Markkanen started all 68 of his games there. Portis played 53 percent of his minutes there as well.

Robin Lopez anchored the starting center spot last year. Carter has too much talent to deny him a chance at starter’s minutes. Smaller lineups will feature Portis at the 5, as he spent almost half of his time there last season. The almost unplayable Omer Asik and Cristiano Felicio still occupy roster spots too, and Chandler Hutchison could see forward minutes. What a mess.

Fortunately, the Chicago Bulls have just enough assets and player versatility to make this work. Lopez is on a large $14.3 million expiring contract. Parker can play small forward and do so efficiently, at least on the offensive end. In order to unclog this frontcourt debacle, we must begin with step one.