Malika Andrews: On Instagram, Wendell Carter Jr. said the Bulls “let this city down this past year.” Chicago was 22-60 last season.
Wendell Carter Rumors
All NBA Players
Position: C
Born: 04/16/99
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:259 lbs. / 117.5 kg.
Salary: $5,208,000
Born: 04/16/99
Height: 6-10 / 2.08
Weight:259 lbs. / 117.5 kg.
Salary: $5,208,000
Chicago Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. has had surgery to repair an abdominal muscle injury. The Bulls said the rehabilitation from the Tuesday procedure in Philadelphia is six to eight weeks. They expect him to be ready for the start of training camp. The 6-foot-10 Carter showed promise last season after being drafted with the No. 7 overall pick, averaging 10.3 points and seven rebounds in 44 games before a season-ending left thumb injury.
Malika Andrews: The Bulls announce that center Wendell Carter Jr. will undergo a procedure on July 9 to repair a core muscle injury. Carter will not play in summer league, but the Bulls say he will likely be ready for training camp. Carter’s rookie season was cut short by thumb surgery.
It’s been widely reported that the Bulls are open to re-signing Lopez and Lopez told me before a road game in Orlando that he’s open to re-signing. That said, I do think it’s more likely that Lopez is gone. He wants, and deserves, to play. And if healthy, Markkanen and Carter are going to play a lot. Yes, you need at least a three- and possibly four-man rotation for the power forward and center. However, Boylen also has talked about trying Markkanen at center and Porter at power forward in some smaller lineups. … So if it’s not Lopez, look for similarly-minded veterans to be added in free agency.
Listen up, Bulls fans. There’s a song you should hear. You won’t understand it unless you’re among the five million people in the world fluent in Finnish. But that’s OK. The beat bangs and the chorus is canny. “The chorus is fire,” Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. said. It’s a song about Lauri Markkanen. The song is titled “Lauri.” It’s a spirited three-minute Finnish rap track composed as an ode to the second-year Bulls forward and Finland native. Just know the chorus will soon be stuck in your head. “Lauri, Lauri, Lauri Markkanen!”
“I don’t understand anything else,” Carter said, smiling. “But the beat’s decent. It just caught me off guard. I started dancing and stuff.” Bulls guard Zach LaVine also likes the track despite being unable to make out the lyrics. “I don’t know what they’re saying, but it sounds good,” LaVine said.
On Saturday, however, vice president of basketball operations John Paxson officially shut down Hutchison and fellow rookie Wendell Carter Jr. (surgery on left thumb) for the last three weeks. “Wendell has amped up his activity, and we’ve mentioned it, but we’re officially ruling him out for the year, as well,’’ Paxson said.
A former Georgia Tech assistant coach is being charged by the NCAA with Level I violations relating to an Atlanta strip club visit that sources told ESPN included current Chicago Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. and former Georgia Tech and NBA player Jarrett Jack.
A former Georgia Tech assistant coach is being charged by the NCAA with Level I violations relating to an Atlanta strip club visit that sources told ESPN included current Chicago Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. and former Georgia Tech and NBA player Jarrett Jack. Jack, whom the NCAA declared to be a representative of Georgia Tech’s athletics interests, is alleged to have provided Carter and an unidentified then-Georgia Tech player with $300 for the strip club visit, the sources told ESPN.
KC Johnson: Wendell Carter Jr. got pin from surgically repaired thumb removed Friday AM.
Joe Cowley: Wendell Carter (thumb) is about to get his pin out.
Darnell Mayberry: Wendell Carter Jr. says he can take off the cast in about 10 days and resume workouts with a splint on his thumb. pic.twitter.com/Mc2owL6KEC
Mike McGraw: Carter says Zion Williamson is “for sure” No. 1 draft pick. #Bulls
Darnell Mayberry: Bulls rookie center Wendell Carter Jr. on Zion Williamson: “He’s a for sure No. 1 draft pick. No doubt about it. I don’t understand how anybody can pass up his athleticism and his potential. That’s a freak of nature, a once in a generation type player. I believe he’ll be No. 1.”
Joe Cowley: Carter Jr. had the surgery on his left thumb this morning and all went well. He will miss 8-12 weeks, which could cost him the season.
Shams Charania: Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. plans to undergo surgery on his left thumb on Monday, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium. He will be sidelined up to three months.
Malika Andrews: Jim Boylen said that Wendell Carter’s surgery has not been scheduled yet.
KC Johnson: Robin Lopez said he’s starting for Wendell Carter Jr.
The roller-coaster week for rookie Bulls center Wendell Carter Jr. continued Friday when a follow-up examination on his injured left thumb revealed ligament damage, which the team has recommended surgery to address. The Bulls estimated his recovery and “return to sport time” at eight to 12 weeks. That likely would end Carter’s promising rookie season if he has the surgery, which a source said is almost certainly his plan.
After Carter visited Bulls hand specialists Friday, the team said in a release that Drs. John Fernandez and Mark Cohen used “repeat physical examination” and “testing under live fluoroscopic XR” to determine instability in the ligament. “We thought we needed him to see our people,” coach Jim Boylen said.
“If you look at it, we’ve lost two of our best defenders in the Justin Holiday trade and Wendell Carter being hurt,” Boylen said. “Somebody is going to have to step up. That’s what we’re preaching. Play those minutes with physicality. We’re desperately seeking more physical play. And maybe our most physical guy is hurt.”
KC Johnson: It should be noted that the Bulls still will shop Robin Lopez and Jabari Parker in advance of the Feb. 7 trade deadline, even with news of Wendell Carter Jr. injury and likely surgery. If they find deals, Cristiano Felicio or small lineup always can be used.
Shams Charania: Chicago Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. is expected to undergo surgery on his left thumb and miss 8-to-12 weeks.
Malika Andrews: Rookie big man Wendell Carter Jr. may need surgery on his thumb, but the Bulls are still awaiting further test results before proceeding, a league source told espn. @KC Johnson first reported.
A follow-up MRI exam Wednesday led Carter and the Bulls to believe the ligament was largely intact, and he was listed as day to day. Carter even tested his thumb at Thursday’s morning shootaround in Denver and vowed to play Saturday against the Heat at the United Center. But the follow-up exam Friday showed ligament damage that the first imaging didn’t detect. … Carter is still considering his options, and it’s not certain he’ll need surgery or how long he’ll be sidelined.
KC Johnson: Jim Boylen said Wendell Carter has sprained left thumb and is out vs. Nuggets but day-to-day.
KC Johnson: Wendell Carter Jr. on who changed practice plans: “We both agreed on something, the players and the coaches. We came to them as men, we talked and told them how we felt and they responded very well.” If coaches didn’t respond well, that’s where it would’ve gotten interesting.
Mike McGraw: Wendell says LaVine and Holiday led the players-only portion of meeting. #Bulls
KC Johnson: Wendell Carter Jr. said Bulls had long team meeting. Won’t reveal details. Main topic was “being direct and honest” and told each other “how we really felt about each other.”
Do you see any similarities between your game and Wendell Carter’s? Al Horford: You know what? I actually do. I think his potential is just tremendous, though, because he’s 19 and he’s already, for example, shooting 3s. I never dreamed, coming in as a rookie, of ever shooting 3-pointers. It seemed like a different world to me. But he’s a big presence on the defensive end. He shoots the mid-range (shot). He has a really good feel in the post. Very composed. Very smart player. So there are some similarities. But I think that he’s definitely more advanced than I was at that stage.
One telling moment from Saturday night came after the game, when Hoiberg was asked about how he sees rookie Wendell Carter Jr. and Markkanen co-existing on the court. “I think Lauri can play really well with Wendell,’’ Hoiberg said. “I think that’s the future of this franchise is those two guys on your frontline.’’ A future that Hoiberg likely won’t get to see fully develop.
KC Johnson: Final: Pistons 107, Bulls 88. Bulls have lost 5 straight and 9 of 10. Zach LaVine scored season-low 8 points but tied season-high with 9 assists. Wendell Carter Jr. scored season-high 28 points. Bulls shot 3-for-21 from 3 point range.
KC Johnson: Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said his franchise would’ve drafted Wendell Carter Jr. at No. 5 had they not traded up to get Luka Doncic. Used the Al Horford comp.
Malika Andrews: Wendell Carter Jr., originally from Atlanta, had close to 100 family members and friends in attendance for tonight’s Bulls game against the Hawks. They had a suite in addition to tickets in the stands.
Family time has long been considered among the worst times to make requests, and most Bulls players expressed their desire to keep those moments private. “If you see me out with my family, I feel like that’s just (a bad time),” Bulls rookie center Wendell Carter Jr. said. “I mean, yeah, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity maybe. But I feel like that’s invading what I have going on at the moment. I don’t get a lot of family time, especially now with us traveling so much. So whenever I do get family time I like it to be clean and pure. At the same time, I understand why they ask for it in those times because they might not ever see you again.”
It’s no secret that Carter is being tutored to take Lopez’ job. Though that’s also what makes Lopez such a good teammate and why Carter’s advancement could be limited this season. Lopez is willingly tutoring Carter to replace him. “Robin Lopez is a phenomenal player,” Carter said. “We’re both competitors and we’re just both competing for that spot. Coach said that spot is open, so I’m coming into training camp thinking there are no defined starters. Just coming in and trying to prove myself every day. Just playing against him. Learning how he plays defense, how he scores in the pick-and-roll, how he scores in the post without using too much effort, and how smart he is just all around.”
KC Johnson: Bulls Media Day tomorrow (in, uh, Sept?). And from the “everyone looks great this time of year” dept., two consistent pieces of chatter: LaVine down to 185ish and looking “very explosive” in scrimmages. Bulls’ bromance with Wendell Carter Jr. is real: “Poised, defensive force”
When Wendell Carter Jr. joined other members of the 2018 draft class at this week’s mandatory Rookie Transition Program, he knew there would be seminars and maybe some studying. What the Bulls first-round pick didn’t know is there would also be a magic show. And an NBA 2K video-game tournament. And a straight-talk moment from 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony.
Wendell Carter Jr: “Melo was real cool talking to us about the brotherhood we’re stepping into and the foundation the players before us have laid down. A prime example is the amount of money we’re getting paid now. Back in the day it wasn’t as readily available as it is now, and players before us fought for that.”
Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. on Tuesday was named to the NBA’s Summer League first team, as voted on by media members. […] Coach Fred Hoiberg told the Tribune that Carter’s first team recognition is “well deserved.” “I think Wendell had a great summer league,” Hoiberg said. “I thought he had a great minicamp with us before he went out there. He showed a lot of things. He showed he’s a very versatile basketball player. He showed he’s a guy who can step out on the floor and knock down the 3 and he also shows a nice touch in the paint.”
Hoiberg continued: “The play that stands out to me from the Summer League is where he pinned the ball on the backboard with two hands from behind. He really showed great defensive instincts and he gives us rim protection, which is an area we really struggled in last year.”
Carter blocked 11 shots in his first three games, including a two-handed snatch from Cleveland’s Ante Zizic in the Bulls’ opener that still ranks as the defensive play of this event. In the Bulls’ Vegas finale against Detroit Saturday, he shot 1-of-8 for just six points but added 16 rebounds and two blocks. Asked about his NBA readiness, Carter thought for a moment, then said: “Genes worked in my favor [his father played pro overseas, his mother in college]. And hard work. I’m constantly getting stronger. Faster. And the mental game is really key. You can be physically stronger but I think about 80, 90 percent of that is all mental. Knowing where to set screens, knowing when to take shots, simple things like that really make you great in this league.”
David Aldridge: Key to pending @Jabari Parker offer sheet from Bulls is Chicago’s willingness to play him some at the three along with Lauri Markkanen and rookie @Wendell Carter Jr. up front, w/all (and Bobby Portis) playing multiple frontcourt positions.
Carter has translated well on both ends, especially for a player who “fell” to No. 7 in the draft. “I never looked at the draft as you go higher, you are a better player,” said Carter. “A lot depends on team needs.”
KC Johnson: Wendell Carter Jr. on his 23 points: “I don’t like to look at my own stats. I may have had a good game but we lost.” Carter on staying in front of Trae Young, which he did mostly well: “I gotta get better.” Yeah, this guy gets it.
He said he looks forward to playing with first-round draft picks Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchinson. “I’m excited,” Dunn said. “We have some good players. It will help us with games and help bring excitement to the fans. Last year it was amazing to play in front of the fans. We didn’t have the year that we wanted last year. Hopefully this year we can get it back by going out and competing each and every game.”
Assuming the Bulls offered the standard 120 percent, Carter will earn $4.4 million during the 2018-19 season — his first year in the league — and $5.2 million during his second season. Hutchison will earn $2 million his first season and $2.3 million the next year.
The Chicago Bulls have signed 2018 No. 7 selection Wendell Carter Jr. and No. 22 selection Chandler Hutchison. In accordance with team policy, terms of the contracts were not released. Carter Jr. (6-10, 259) played in 37 games (37 starts) for the Duke Blue Devils in 2017-18 and averaged 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.05 blocks. He was only the sixth Blue Devil to shoot better than .500 from the field (.561), .400 from 3-point range (.413) and .700 at the free throw line (.738). Carter Jr. notched one of the best rookie seasons by a big man in Duke history, finishing second all-time among Blue Devil freshman in rebounds (335), blocked shots (76) and double-doubles (16). He was a second-team All-ACC selection, a unanimous pick to the ACC All-Freshman Team, earned NABC All-District recognition, was named ACC Rookie of the Week three times (11/20, 12/26, 2/26) and was a finalist for the Karl Malone Award. Carter Jr. won gold medals with USA Basketball at the 2015 FIBA Americas U16 Championship and the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championship, where he also made the all-tournament team, and was selected for the 2016 USA Basketball Men’s Junior National Team minicamp.
At least both last summer and this one, it’s happening with players who seemingly fit Hoiberg’s philosophy. “These are two very versatile players who I’m really excited about adding,” Hoiberg said Monday at the Advocate Center, where the Bulls introduced first-round picks Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchison.
Paxson, general manager Gar Forman and Hoiberg envision Carter as Lauri Markkanen’s running buddy for the next decade. “You’ve got a modern-day big with Wendell,” Hoiberg said. “I’ve talked a lot to Coach K (Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski) in the last week about the different ways he utilized Wendell’s skill set. They ran a lot of high-low with him and (Marvin) Bagley with Wendell out on the floor making the pass.
Malika Andrews: Fred Hoiberg says he has talked with Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski over the past week about how he used Wendell Carter jr. Hoiberg describes Carter as a “versatile big that will fit well with other young bigs on our roster.”
Malika Andrews: Fred Hoiberg says that yesterday, Wendell Carter Jr. texted him and said he would like to come into the gym and gets some shots up. “I know that work ethic will carry over,” says Hoiberg.
KC Johnson: Carter: “I was willing to share the pot. I’m not a selfish player by any means. I wanted to win. To play alongside so many great players at Duke and still hold my own, I thought spoke volumes.”
KC Johnson: Carter Jr. on Markkanen: “He’s a fantastic young player, someone I can learn from on and off the court.”
Malika Andrews: Wendell Carter Jr. on what he knows about Chicago: “I know they got great pizza.”
If the Mavericks hold firm with this position, it’s because they like the options at No. 5 — such as Mo Bamba or Wendell Carter Jr. — better than the idea of taking on an extra season of Kent Bazemore at $19.3 million for the right to draft Luka Doncic
KC Johnson: Bulls’ efforts to trade up still haven’t advanced. If Bulls stay at No. 7 and picks above them hold to form, still believe Wendell Carter Jr. is the selection.
The Grizzlies are definitely contemplating moving back a few spots, but wouldn’t be upset “settling’’ for Jackson, who may have the biggest upside of any player in the draft. Duke power forward Wendell Carter is also drawing keen interest from the Grizzlies.
The Mavs had to be tempted to take Michael Porter, who could be a star, before his troubling back issues arose. And I’m told they still could take Porter — if owner Mark Cuban gets his way. But the Mavs can’t afford to take that major risk and opt for Texas center Mohamed Bamba over Carter.
Jonathan Wasserman: Teams guessing, unsure what Grizzlies do at 4 if Doncic gone. One suggested they could play it safe with Carter, since Jackson/Bamba refused to work out for them (Carter has). Carter at 4 would leave unexpected options for Mavs + Magic with Jackson/Bamba.
If Atlanta were to trade down, its intentions would likely be to select Oklahoma guard Trae Young or Michigan State big Jaren Jackson Jr., while Memphis has interest in Duke big Wendell Carter Jr.
Steve Kyler: I will label this a typical buzz before the draft – but don’t be shocked is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Wendell Carter Jr go higher than most expect.
Andrew Perna: Wendell Carter is carrying around a guide the NBA issued to rookies about handling the media, social media and people injecting themselves into your life.
Jonathan Wasserman: Latest buzz: Hearing Michael Porter and Trae Young are both falling, and that even Knicks could pass on Young at 9. Meanwhile Wendell Carter is gaining steam, strong candidate to go in 4-7 range.
Peter Edmiston: Interesting to hear @Adrian Wojnarowski talking in his latest pod about the Grizzlies’struggles to get players in – and also to get some medical information from certain players. Only Wendell Carter among the top prospects has been to Memphis. Pretty mediocre (to be kind) set of workouts…
Josh Robbins: Duke’s Wendell Carter Jr. is completing an individual workout now with the Orlando Magic here at Amway Center.
Jason Jones: Kings will host Duke’s Wendall Carter Jr. for a visit on Saturday. GM Vlade Divac and asst. GMs Brandon Williams and Ken Catanella saw Carter work out in L.A. on May 23. Carter will not workout this weekend.
