Chicago Bulls should have drafted Dennis Smith Jr. at No. 7
The Chicago Bulls made a big mistake when they passed on Dennis Smith Jr. with the seventh pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
The Chicago Bulls did not have a great showing in the 2017 NBA Draft. To start it all off, they sold low on Jimmy Butler, sending him to the Minnesota Timberwolves for an uninspiring package. Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and the seventh overall selection is not exactly a package that is going to jumpstart this rebuild.
That being said, the Bulls had a chance to make this deal better by nailing that seventh pick. Unfortunately, they missed the boat there as well.
Lauri Markkanen is a seven-footer who is one of the best shooters in the 2017 NBA draft class. He has a smooth offensive game that should translate well to the next level. That being said, he is an above average role player at best in the NBA.
Markkanen has great size, but he plays like he is much smaller. He is not a strong rebounder, nor does he have any defensive presence at the rim. Markkanen is a good shooter, but that is about all that he brings to the table at the moment. Make no mistake about it, the Bulls did not just draft Kristaps Porzingis.
The better choice
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I did not hate the selection of Markkanen, but the Chicago Bulls undoubtedly could have done better. In fact, a much better player went just two picks later, when the Dallas Mavericks took N.C. State point guard Dennis Smith Jr. In my eyes, Smith should have been the selection for the Bulls at number seven.
I know what you are thinking; “How many (expletive) point guards do the Bulls need?” They already have guys like Rajon Rondo, Cameron Payne, Isaiah Cannon, Jerian Grant and Michael Carter-Williams on the roster. Not to mention, they traded for a point guard in Dunn in the Butler trade. But I am telling you, Smith is a special player who deserved consideration. Plus, you always want to take the best player available. Drafting for need is for fools.
Simply put, Smith is a playmaker with the ball in his hands. He is shot creator, showing the ability to create high-level scoring chances for himself and his teammates. Smith is also an extremely quick and athletic point guard who is absolutely deadly in transition. At N.C. State, Smith showed an extremely high on-court IQ and proved that he can lead a team on the offensive end. He can hit from the outside, drive the lane, score in transition and set up his teammates. Smith has a ton of natural offensive ability from the point guard position.
Smith is a defensive liability, but he has legitimate superstar potential with the ball in his hands. There is not a single player on the Bulls’ roster who we can confidently say that about.
They could have made it work
I know drafting another point guard would have felt odd but it is not like any of these guys are fantastic long-term options. Dunn still has some upside and Payne may have a chance, but neither should prevent you from drafting a talent like Smith.
Next: Bulls sold low on Butler, but trade had to be made
Plus, with his great offense and poor defense, Smith would have seemingly been a strong fit alongside Dunn in the Bulls’ backcourt. Dunn showed a ton of defensive ability last season but was a pretty terrible offensive player. The Bulls could have played Smith and Dunn on the court together with Dunn taking the tougher defensive responsibility and Smith leading the offense.
None of this matters as the Chicago Bulls will go forward with Lauri Markkanen as one of the centerpieces of their rebuild. However, I truly believe that they missed an opportunity to add a big-time prospect when they chose him instead of Smith Jr.