Wendell Carter Jr. is a power forward.
Unfortunately for the second-year Bulls big man, he is asked to dwell in a residency occupied by centers.
Carter’s hope? It’s just a rental property.
“Absolutely,’’ Carter said to the Sun-Times earlier this month, when asked if he would talk to his bosses about a possible position change when this regular season eventually comes to an end. “Coach [Jim Boylen] understands that I’m a great defender no matter who I’m guarding, but he also understands that one of the reasons we’re in the black is because of my size, because I’m not as tall. I mean I’m more mobile than most fives, so I’m able to be up, slide, all that.
“I mean I’ve been playing the four all of my life. … It’s definitely a conversation I’m going to bring up for sure, but as of right now I’m just trying to make it work with where I’m at.’’
Not the first time Carter has brought this up to the media, but it was the first time he openly said it bothered him enough to discuss it with the organization.
When that conversation happens, especially with the league at a complete shutdown because of the coronavirus? Anyone’s guess. It will happen, however.
Most nights the 6-foot-9 Carter can get away with life in the paint, not only because of his solid 280-pound build, but a 7-5 wingspan and ability to block and rebound.
Where it handicaps him is against bigger, stronger centers, and more importantly on the offensive end. The center in Boylen’s offense went from a post threat last season, with Boylen running a lot of four-out, one-in motion sets in which he wanted the center to get touches, to now being an afterthought.
Yes, being a rim-runner and screener is huge in the offense Boylen, his coaching staff, and the analytics department came up with this season, but there are very few opportunities for Carter to score unless he plays garbage man by grabbing offensive rebounds and doing it himself.
Especially when the likes of Zach LaVine or Coby White get hot. Then again, when those two get rolling, everyone is an afterthought.
What initially attracted the Bulls to Carter in his private workouts before the draft – and what there were glimpses of last season – was a smooth mid-range jumper, as well as a growing ability to shoot the long ball. That seed has barely been watered, however.
Boylen often talks about being able to have “difficult conversations’’ with his players. Expect Carter to test that being a two-way street.
The Situation: Carter has no choice but to accept the center role, especially because of the lack of depth the Bulls have in the middle. Daniel Gafford has shown promise, but is still a raw rookie, while Luke Kornet is a stretch-four disguised as a center, and Cristiano Felicio is a G-Leaguer that general manager Gar Forman completely mis-scouted and over-paid.
Carter has emerged as the second-best defender on the team to Kris Dunn — and the best frontcourt defender — while also showing promise as a big that should average a double-double nightly. He needs to show he can stay healthy, however.
The Resolution: If the Bulls find a trade partner that can actually land them a star, they undoubtedly would have to give up a package that would include current starting four Lauri Markkanen. That’s about the only opening Carter has in getting his wish to be a power forward.
Bold Prediction: This is a front office unable to pull off the organizational-changing trade, so expect Carter to stay in his current role. However, he will continue to emerge as a leader, and will have a major voice for the team in two years. That’s his make-up.
