Chicago Bulls: Michael Porter Jr. emerging as top draft target?

Could the Chicago Bulls be showing their hand a bit early in terms of wanting to draft dynamic but mysterious forward Michael Porter Jr.?

All those concerns that the Chicago Bulls ruined their tanking chances completely may have been overblown after all as they have now lost four straight since the All-Star Break. And if they lose just enough, maybe they’ll put themselves nicely in position to draft someone who has increasingly been linked to the Bulls in the 2018 NBA Draft: Mizzou’s Michael Porter Jr.

The Chicago Sun-Times’ Joe Cowley has speculated that Porter Jr. is the Bulls’ top draft target, suggesting that they hope concerns about his injuries will cause him to slide in the draft to their spot if they can’t land in the top five.

And recent NBA mock drafts have started to reflect that that scenario could, in fact, unfold.

Also, if you like reading into social media posts, there might be a little mutual interest from Porter Jr. himself.

Take that however you will.

Well worth the risk?

By now, if you’ve been following the impending top picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, you know about Porter Jr. and what he brings to the table when healthy.

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At 6’10”, he has the size and length to be the kind of monstrous wing presence that the Chicago Bulls have lacked for years. In fact, his nine-foot standing reach is equivalent to what Anthony Davis measured back in 2012.

Plus, he can shoot the 3-ball respectably, create his own shot and has the ball-handling and passing ability to create offense for others.

Assuming health, can you imagine a starting lineup of Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, Lauri Markkanen and Porter Jr.? That would be immediately up there with the Philadelphia 76ers as one of the best young units in the league.

But again, the medical reports will make-or-break everything. And tricky back issues can derail careers.

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Still, if the Chicago Bulls want him, the opportunity to take him might just be there. All they have to do is lose, hope other teams win and hope the balls bounce their way. And if they don’t, they now have a few first-round picks to potentially use to move up if they want.

In any case, keep an eye on Michael Porter Jr. heading into this draft. He could be emerging as the Bulls’ top target in the 2018 NBA Draft.