Chicago Bulls: Michael Porter Jr. is a franchise-changing player

Slotted at six in the NBA Draft pre-lottery, the Chicago Bulls will likely have a future star available. Is Missouri’s Michael Porter Jr. the one?

It was a long year for the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls went 27-55 in the first year of the rebuild, their worst record since 2003-2004. The Bulls are currently slated to pick sixth in the 2018 NBA Draft, but the pick could move up with a little lottery luck.

Let’s assume that it doesn’t. The Bulls hold the sixth pick in the NBA draft, their highest pick since 2008, when the Bulls held the top pick and selected eventual MVP Derrick Rose.

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This year’s draft is viewed as a top-heavy draft. The top eight or so prospects all have the potential to be future superstars, but a big drop-off in talent follows.

Big men Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley and Mo Bamba will likely be gone by the sixth pick. European phenom Luka Doncic will be off the board as well. So will either Trae Young or Collin Sexton.

That leaves the perfect fit: Michael Porter Jr.

The ESPN 100 top recruit for the Class of 2017 missed all but three games for Missouri this past season with a back injury.

In those three games, Porter averaged 10 points per game along with 6.7 rebounds.

Porter had a double-double in Missouri’s first-round loss to Florida State in the NCAA Tournament, netting 16 points and 10 rebounds in his first and only NCAA Tournament game.

Despite playing in Missouri’s last two games, Porter is still recovering from back surgery. Porter’s progression in building stamina and regaining athletic ability will be key in his development as an NBA player.

So why does Porter Jr. fit the Bulls? Two reasons: Position and potential.

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Porter’s position of stretch-four perfectly fits the Bulls’ future lineup. With Kris Dunn and Zach Lavine manning the guards, and Lauri Markkanen starting down-low, the Bulls have room to draft a small forward or a power forward.

Porter can play both positions, which is great for the Bulls as the NBA continues to see lineups head in his direction. Porter has the ability to knock down jumpers consistently while playing solid defense and dominating the glass.

As for potential, the 19-year old averaged 36.2 points per game and 13.6 rebounds per game in his senior high of high school. Porter was an All-American, Gatorade National Player of the Year and state champion in high school.

Next: Chicago Bulls: Curious Draft Scenarios

Michael Porter Jr. is certainly an intriguing option for the Bulls come draft time. Whether its MPJ or not, the Bulls will have the opportunity to pick a franchise-changing superstar at six. It’s still a long ways away, but its never too soon to talk draft for the rebuilding Bulls.

Trust the process, Bulls fans. The future is bright.