The Chicago Bulls have a new face manning the center position in Nic Claxton, a 6-foot-11 big man who represents a clear upgrade at the position. Claxton has some familiarity with new Bulls head coach Tiago Splitter from their time together with the Brooklyn Nets. He was likely brought in to start and bring some defensive acumen to the backline. However, Claxton has seen his defensive rebound rate and block rate decrease over the past two seasons. Part of Claxton's decline is related to lingering back issues, and part of it came from playing for a woeful Nets team that won a combined 46 games over the past two seasons. Claxton will have a lot to prove in an environment that could certainly use a productive center. The Central Division is quite strong at the center position, with players like Jalen Duren, Jarrett Allen, and Myles Turner. Duren is the clear-cut top center in the division, assuming he stays put. He made the All-NBA Third Team following a great regular season for the 60-win Pistons. Allen is similar to Ivica Zubac, who has traditional big man skills, including rugged rebounding and rim protection. Turner successfully spaced the floor on offense, shooting 38.3% from 3-point range on 5.4 attempts per game. Claxton will face tough competition in the division, but he is due for a reasonable bounce back season. He will have to improve his defensive rebound rate and block rate to become a productive center for the Bulls. With his defensive acumen and potential for improvement, Claxton could become a key player for the Bulls. The team will rely on him to bring a strong presence in the paint and protect the rim. Claxton's performance will be crucial to the Bulls' success in the upcoming season. He will have to work hard to regain his form and become a dominant force in the Central Division.