Bulls shutting down rookies Carter, Hutchison for season
The Chicago Bulls are calling an early end to the season for rookies Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchison, vice president of basketball operations Jon Paxson announced Saturday, courtesy of The Athletic's Darnell Mayberry.
Carter has missed the last two months recovering from surgery on a sprained left thumb. Drafted seventh overall in June, the 19-year-old center averaged 10.3 points and seven rebounds in 44 games this season.
Hutchison, the 22nd overall pick in the draft, was initially expected to miss just two-to-four weeks due to a fractured right toe but hasn't played since Jan. 25. The 22-year-old forward averaged 5.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 44 games.
Paxson adds the team is also monitoring Otto Porter Jr. and Zach LaVine, who are nursing shoulder and thigh injuries, respectively.