Chicago Bulls 2015 Draft Profile: Christian Wood

With the NBA Draft rapidly approaching, we start to look at some possible draft choices for the Chicago Bulls. The first player we profile is power forward

Christian Wood

. Wood is a player who can help the Bulls in a variety of ways.

Chicago Bulls /

Chicago Bulls

The Chicago Bulls ended their season in a disappointing fashion against the Cleveland Cavaliers last week. Now, rumors about head coach Tom Thibodeau’s departure are getting louder.

Let’s take some time away from all that (until something happens that takes us back) and look at how the Bulls can improve.

The first way of doing that is through the draft.

By virtue of their 50-32 record, the Bulls will have the 22nd pick in the draft next month. Some may think there might not be much, but the Bulls chose Taj Gibson with the 26th pick in 2009 and Jimmy Butler with the 30th pick in 2011.

Could there be another diamond in the rough for the Bulls?

One player who could be that is UNLV power forward Christian Wood.

The sophomore Wood is 6-foot-11 and weighs 220 pounds. He was not on a lot of people’s radar after a quiet freshman season, but had a breakout sophomore season. He averaged 15.5 points per game, grabbed 9.8 rebounds, had 2.6 blocks and a 25.1 PER. He was named second team All-Mountain West, even though the Running Rebels did not fair well, posting an 8-10 conference record.

Wood has a lot of talent on both ends of the court, and has some good tools to make him a successful NBA player. With his height and a 7-foot-3 wingspan, he has the size and length needed in the NBA.

Wood has the ability to hurt a team from the inside, outside or on the break. He doesn’t necessarily need to have a point guard give him the ball on the break, as he has good enough handles to run the break himself.

In a half court offense, Wood has good feet and can get to the basket well. Once he gets there, he is a very good finisher. He shot 70 percent on his “around the basket” field goal shots. That is the 7th-highest percentage among the prospects.

As most of you know from watching the playoff series against the Cavs, there were a ton of points left on the table by the Bulls because they missed shots right at the bucket. Those points lost could have been the difference in the series. Having someone who could finish will certainly help.

Wood also has a quick first step so he could face the basket and beat many of the other power forwards. Once he blows past them, his length helps him get to the basket in a variety of ways.

Wood’s size, length and agility will allow him to help his team defensively. He hasn’t shown the consistency on that end yet, but with NBA coaching, he has the tools to become a very good defender.

Wood will have to bulk up a bit to take the rigors of the NBA. He will be 20 years old when the season starts so his body can fill out some. When it does, he will grow as a player.

Chris Mannix from Sports Illustrated has the Bulls choosing Wood.

"The rapidly developing Wood is a bit of a risk here—Justin Anderson or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, two defensive-minded players, are safer picks—but the Bulls need frontcourt offense and Wood has terrific inside-out potential. He won’t play much in his first year, maybe two, but he has an enormous upside."

With Wood being a project, he can play some, and work on his body and learn the ways of the NBA. After a couple of seasons, he could be ready to take over since the contracts of Pau Gasol and Gibson expire.

Of course, we don’t know what might happen between now and then, but Wood, at the very least, Wood can be a dependable backup and play a good number of years in the NBA.

Next: Los Angeles Lakers To Pursue Tom Thibodeau

More from Da Windy City

Home/Chicago Bulls