The Bulls’ rebuild is in full swing.

The front office made two significant additions to the team in the 2018 NBA Draft in Wendell Carter and Chandler Hutchison. Although the Bulls traded All-Star guard Jimmy Butler for the draft rights to Lauri Markkanen, plus Zach Lavine and Kris Dunn on draft day in 2017 to officially kick off a new era, Carter and Hutchison are Chicago’s first official draft picks in the rebuild.

Marvin Bagley and Grayson Allen overshadowed Carter at Duke, but his versatility on both ends of the floor still stood out. He was the better rebounder than Bagley in terms of percentages, and his ability to block shots and stick with defenders was a major positive. Bagley struggled defensively, but Carter was able to cover for him in the post.

The same case might apply in Chicago. Although Markkanen sported a league-average defensive rating last season, he struggled with quicker power forwards and bigger centers. Carter has the necessary quickness and strength to pick up the opposition’s best post player, allowing Markkanen to focus on torching teams offensively.

“I think they could be a really good fit for a lot of years,” Bulls Head Coach Fred Hoiberg said. “I think those two have a chance to work very well on the floor together and have a great chemistry.”

Hoiberg also said Carter has made an impression since he joined the team. “Wendell’s a guy that, ever since he’s stepped foot in our building, we could tell we had a guy that has a chance to be a really great player,” Hoiberg said. “I’ve been really impressed with the overall demeanor for a 19-year old kid.”

The Bulls have seen their defense slip considerably under Hoiberg, although a lot of that has to do with the change in personnel rather than scheme. Chicago posted a 111.6 defensive rating last season after back-to-back years at the 107 mark. The Bulls finished 27^th in points per game allowed, resulting in the second-worst point differential in the league.

Carter will immediately help on the defensive end. He averaged 2.1 blocks per game in college and his rim protection skills have translated to the NBA. Carter’s versatility as a defender was on display in Summer League when he routinely switched onto opposing guards. “He’s got the chance to be special defensively,” Hoiberg said.

Even Hutchison was surprised by Carter’s defensive chops. “Even in Summer League, I didn’t know he was that versatile of a defender,” Hutchison said, “switching on a guard and being able to move his feet and then also shot-blocking down in the paint on some big dudes. So it’s been pretty impressive.”

Hutchison is the prototypical Bulls late first-round pick as a four-year college player. He consistently improved as a scorer at Boise State, going from 3.1 points per game as a freshman to 20.0 points per game as a senior. He was named to the All-Mountain West First Team twice and made the conference’s All-Defensive Team last season. His growth as a scorer throughout college is encouraging, but he’ll have to adjust in a new role in Chicago.

“I don’t have quite the freedom that I had in college, so that’s been an adjustment,” Hutchison said. “Trying to figure out my spots to be aggressive, learn how to have it come within the flow of the offense.”

Like Carter, one thing Hutchison will be able to help with immediately is his defense. The Bulls allowed opponents to shoot 37 percent from behind the arc and were 25^th in turnovers forced last season. Hutchison should bump both metrics up with his length and quickness. And he’s determined to do so.

“I want to be an elite wing defender,” Hutchison said. “I feel like that’s an area, something that’s a need right now, so that’s going to be my main focus is doing what I can do defensively.”

“He’s got good instincts on that end, he’s a guy that has got great length, and I think he’s going to be a player that can play multiple positions on the defensive end,” Hoiberg said. “He’s going to have very good defensive versatility.”

If Carter and Hutchison show potential as elite defenders, the Bulls will have addressed their two biggest concerns after last season on that end of the floor. Carter should get some immediate minutes against top competition with Markkanen still recovering from an elbow injury for another three-to-five weeks, but both Carter and Hutchison will likely have to showcase their abilities against opposing bench units.

Fitting in offensively shouldn’t be much of a challenge for either player, although Carter will have more familiarity than Hutchison as a peripheral player. Both players can run the floor well, which is important for Chicago. The Bulls went from 15^th in pace in their first season under Hoiberg to ninth in pace last season. Chicago wants to play faster offensively and both players should slide right in.

Three-point shooting will be something to watch for both rookies. The Bulls went from 29^th in 3-point attempts in 2016 to sixth last season. Hoiberg’s offense is going to play fast and spread the floor. Carter hit 41.3 percent of his 3s in college, but he only took 46 attempts. Hutchison steadily increased his 3-point shooting rate and percentage through college. He shot 36.5 percent from deep in his final two seasons, showing enough potential to be a reliable threat.

How the Bulls integrate Carter and Hutchison into the fabric of the team will be key in determining their long-term fit. Both will pay immediate dividends on the defensive end of the floor and should be versatile enough offensively to be effective even in limited shot opportunities.

Chicago can open up approximately $46 million in cap space if it declines Jabari Parker’s team option and Omer Asik accepts his player option. The Bulls haven’t been a top free agent destination, but they’ll likely be armed with another lottery pick in June and all their future picks are intact. A year after trading Butler, Chicago’s rebuild looks like it’s on the right track. If Carter and Hutchison accomplish their goals this year, the Bulls will have the chance to be a major factor in a loaded 2019 free agency class.