Carter appeared in 43 games for the Bulls in 2019-20. He averaged per-game career highs in points (11.3), rebounds (9.4) and steals (0.8). He also averaged 1.2 assists and 0.8 blocks. He ranked 15th in the NBA in total rebound percentage (17.8). Carter shot career highs in both field-goal percentage (53.4) and three-point percentage (20.7) while also shooting 73.7 percent from the free-throw line. Nov. 9 against the Rockets, Carter set a new single-game career high with 16 rebounds. That game, he also posted 13 points (5-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two assists and two blocks. Carter's other single-game season highs were 20 points, four blocks, four assists, three steals and two three-pointers. He had 17 double-doubles. Carter's best performance of the season was Oct. 28 against the Knicks. In 28 minutes, he recorded 20 points (7-9 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 6-7 FT), 10 rebounds, three blocks, two assists and one steal.

Thumb surgery ended Carter's rookie campaign after just 44 games, but prior to the injury, Carter showed he was a difference-maker for the Bulls. The No. 7 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft started every game of his freshman season and averaged north of 25 minutes per night. Carter quickly proved to be a high-end inside point producer, rebounder and defender, averaging 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. He generated double-digit boards on nine separate occasions and cracked the 20-point mark three times, including a season-high 28 points against the Pistons on Nov. 30. Carter posted seven double-doubles, including Nov. 9, when he pulled down a season-high 16 rebounds to accompany 13 points and two blocks. He even made six 3-pointers on the season. The young center is a legitimate two-way threat who shot impressively from both the field (48.5 percent) and the line (79.5 percent).