NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings, Week 13: Wendell Carter in mix

NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings, Week 13: Wendell Carter Jr. back in the mix

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 9: Wendell Carter Jr. #34 of the Chicago Bulls makes his entrance before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on January 9, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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3. Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls

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Chicago Bulls big man Wendell Carter Jr. finds himself back in the top five as one of the few bright spots in the frontcourt this season. The Bulls have lost their last five games, but that hasn’t stopped Carter from finding his stroke on offense.

Carter produced 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting in Chicago’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night. It was just his third 20-point effort this season. He could use a few more rebounds under his belt to drive his double-double efforts. So far, he’s recorded just seven double-doubles this season but he’s yet to record one in the month of January.

He’s putting up 10.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per contest this season as he continues to develop in the Bulls’ frontcourt. Second-year forward Lauri Markkanen is producing 17.0 points and 7.3 rebounds per game and Bobby Portis is producing 12.6 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest off the bench. It looks like the Bulls frontcourt is in good shape, now they just need to solve their backcourt woes.