Chicago Bulls shoot for big-time big man upside in 2017 NBA mock draft
The Chicago Bulls land a potentially impact big man in a recent 2017 NBA mock draft.
It is difficult to predict what the Chicago Bulls will do this offseason. Will they finally trade Jimmy Butler to signal their much-needed rebuild? Will veteran guards Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo be back? Can they find a player or two in free agency who can help them both now and in the future?
All of these questions are impossible to answer right now but one thing is for sure; the Bulls need to find a way to get younger and more athletic this offseason. John Paxson and Gar Forman keep rolling back a similar roster year-after-year. They continue to get older and refuse to adapt to the modern game.
However, if they play their cards right, the Bulls can take significant steps towards correcting their roster this offseason. Without significant cap space available (unless Wade unexpectedly opts out), the Bulls are primarily going to have to reshape their roster through the 2017 NBA Draft. Unfortunately, unless they trade Butler (extremely unlikely), the Bulls will not go on the clock until the 16th overall pick.
There are many interesting choices expected to be available at number 16, but the elite-level prospects will obviously be long gone. If the Bulls expect to land a legitimate long-term difference maker, they are going to have to take on some risk. That is exactly what they do in the recent 2017 NBA mock draft put together by Reid Forgrave of CBS Sports.
With the 16th overall selection, Forgrave gives the Chicago Bulls UCLA big man Ike Anigbogu. Here is what he had to say about the pick:
"I’m higher on Anigbogu than many, despite the small sample size (he averaged 13 minutes per game as a reserve at UCLA). He’s all potential. He’s the type of player that coaches and general managers can look at and paint their own canvas on. For a team like the Bulls, an enormous paint presence like Anigbogu is much needed. The offensive end is very much a work in progress."
As Forgraves notes, Anigbogu only averaged 13 minutes per game in his only season at UCLA. However, when he was on the court, the big man always made an impact.
At the NBA Draft Combine, Anigbogu measured in at nearly 6-foot-10 and weighed 252 pounds. Most importantly, he had an incredible wingspan of more than 7’6″.
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The UCLA product is a long and athletic player who shows an impressive overall defensive game. Anigbogu shows an extremely high more and always seems to be making a play when on defense. His ability to time his jump when blocking a shot is elite as his rebounding on both sides of the court. Make no mistake about it, Anigbogu has a chance to be an elite-level rim protector at the next level.
His defensive upside is top notch but Anigbogu is an extremely raw offensive asset. His speed and athleticism shine in transition and he will finish with impressive power at times at the rim. That being said, he does not have much of a shooting touch and cannot create any sort of offense for himself.
At least early in his career, Anigbogu is going to be an offensive liability. He may be able to make some plays in transition or rolling to the basket, but expecting anything significant from him on that end of the court would be a mistake.
A good fit?
More than anything, the Bulls need to find outside shooters this offseason. Obviously, Anigbogu would not fix that weakness. That being said, I do like this fit. The Bulls simply need to find young playmakers regardless of position.
Next: Jimmy Butler trade scenarios after the lottery
Anigbogu is incredibly raw but his defensive upside is massive. His length, athleticism and ability to run the floor fits well with the modern game. I would also not be surprised to see him be the kind of guy who can defend multiple positions down the line.
The 2017 draft class is loaded with talent but the pickings will be relatively slim at number 16. Instead of taking a safe college veteran, the Chicago Bulls would be better off swinging for the fences on a modern-style player like Anigbogu.