NBA: Ranking all 30 starting centers for 2018-19

23. Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls

This might be a bit generous for a rookie, but there’s also a good chance Wendell Carter Jr. earns extra brownie points throughout the year as the only thing preventing the Chicago Bulls‘ defense from being historically bad. Okay, maybe Kris Dunn will help there too, but Carter impressed a lot of people during Summer League.

In Las Vegas, the former Blue Devil put up 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He’s flashed 3-point shooting ability too, and although Robin Lopez might begin the year as the team’s starting 5, it’s only a matter of time before Carter proves himself. He makes more sense as the starter once the losses pile on anyway.

Carter has one of the most NBA-ready games in this year’s draft class, and he’s a central part of an intriguing young Bulls core. He’ll take his lumps like any other rookie, but he also could have the benefit of being eased into the action. Once he’s ready, Carter should be a nice two-way complement to Lauri Markkanen.