Wendell Carter Jr. proved to be one side of the spectrum
The Bulls big man was originally expected to have to go through an evaluation process in the next week, just to test the injured right quadriceps that sidelined him for 11 games. Then there would be a conditioning period, as well as some time to get his rhythm back.
All the makings of a late February return.
Instead, Carter went to the needle and took a platelet-rich plasma shot, didn’t worry about his wind on the court, and was back on Monday, earlier than scheduled.
Then there’s the other side of the spectrum.
That’s where veteran Otto Porter Jr. currently resides.
Porter last played on Feb. 1 against the Knicks, but was laboring through that game with the ongoing back issues that have hampered him most of the season. He’s now missed 11 games after the Wednesday showdown with Detroit, and there seems to be very little clarity on a return with it sounding like Porter is still looking for answers on the long-term issues the back could give him.
“Well I think with Otto, I wouldn’t say it’s a stalemate,’’ coach Billy Donovan said of his progress. “He’s progressing and working through things, but he’s still not doing anything on the court. He’s doing stuff in the weight room. He’s doing strengthening and rehabilitation, and just having people look at him to find out what are some of the issues and challenges there that he needs to work through.
“It’s just a matter of him getting stronger and feeling more comfortable, getting rid of the discomfort that he is dealing with when he does certain movements and certain activities, but I don’t really know when a timetable for him to come back.’’
The bigger question is will he even come back as a Bull?
Since acquiring him in the 2018-19 season, it’s been more frustration than vindication with the deal. Sure, they dumped one mistake in Jabari Parker for a smaller headache in the locker room with Porter, but that hasn’t translated into winning basketball.
Porter has played in just 45 games with the Bulls, going 19-26. That’s a front office that has paid the forward basically $3.5 million per victory.
Because Porter is an expiring contract, if the Bulls can get involved in a big trade scenario, he could be moved. But if he’s not healthy or simply using this season to get the back to being 100 percent before he hits free agency, all bets are off.
Off the Mark
Lauri Markkanen has now missed six straight games with the injured right shoulder, but according to Donovan, he still hasn’t done any work on the court.
“I think Lauri right now shows signs of improvement, but his days are mixed,’’ Donovan said. “Sometimes with his injury, I think the mornings are a lot more challenging and as he gets up and moves around a little bit, I think he starts to feel better.
“The one good part of Lauri is the conditioning piece of him being able to run and do those kind of things, he’s still able to do. His issues are when he raises his arm over his head, he still has discomfort there. It’s not to the point where it was when he first got injured.’’
With Markkanen sidelined, Donovan continued going with a smaller starting lineup, inserting Garrett Temple in his place for the three-guard look.
