Chicago Bulls: Grading each move made this offseason

Bulls draft Jordan Bell with 38th pick, sell him to Golden State Warriors

Chicago Bulls Grade: F

Just ahead of the 2017 NBA Draft, I tabbed Jordan Bell as the top sleeper target for the Chicago Bulls. When they drafted him with the 38th overall pick, I was ecstatic. I do not agree with a lot of the moves that the Bulls make, but Bell is an impressive modern big man who runs the court extremely well and is a big-time defensive weapon. This was a strong pick for a rebuilding team.

However, my excitement over the Bulls making a good move was quickly turned to bafflement, as we learned that the Bulls actually took Bell for the Golden State Warriors and sold the pick to them for $3.5 million.

They did not trade the pick. They simply sold it to put money in ownership’s pocket. This was an absolutely baffling move that makes me wonder how serious this franchise is about a successful rebuild.

Bell is a legitimate NBA player. I know that the Bulls front office does not value mid-to-late round picks very much, but they have to take a look at the player. If the Bulls would have drafted and kept Bell, he instantly would have become one of the most interesting players in their rebuild. A potentially significant asset down the line.

Instead, they sold him to the best team in the NBA for nothing of value to the team. If there was a grade lower than an “F”, I would give it to this move. It may not end up being a huge deal, but this was an awful use of resources by the Chicago Bulls.