2018 NBA Mock Draft: Luka Doncic could be the first piece of the Memphis Grizzlies’ rebuild

When Carter stepped out for a quick spot-up 3 against North Carolina on Saturday, he looked about as confident and spry as he has taking that shot all season. I wish he took more, and I think NBA teams do.

Using the Al Horford comparison that has followed Carter throughout his solid freshman season, we can understand the simple impact of a 3-point shot for a big man. Horford shot at least 50 percent in each of the first eight years of his career, but in 2015, he bumped his outside shooting volume up to over three 3s per game and was able to weather a decreased role in Atlanta’s offense while actually seeing a small uptick in his value according to all-encompassing box score numbers like Offensive Box Plus-Minus.

A quarter of Horford’s shots that season were from 3, and the spacing he provided helped Atlanta’s offense soar. The Hawks’ offense was nearly 10 points better per 100 possessions when Horford played that season, compared to a plus-5.1 rating the year before. It’s more complicated than that, as spacing forces the defense to make tougher decisions guarding the rim and helping as well. But if Carter adds a shot, he could be even better than the solid baseline he’s established this season.

The Bulls have the potential with Lauri Markkanen to have shooting at every position, so that version of Carter would be great for the team.