Chicago Bulls big board for 2018 NBA Draft
By Ryan Heckman
1. Center DeAndre Ayton, Arizona
If something horrible must happen for the Bulls to end up with Doncic, consider it a pure catastrophe for DeAndre Ayton if he falls to no. 7. Nonetheless, let’s go over what makes him the clear-cut number one guy in all of the draft this year.
While guys like Bamba and Bagley are some of the best at what they do on the defensive and offensive end, respectively, Ayton presents a healthy and consistent combination of both sides of the ball.
Deandre Ayton enters the NBA draft with a chip on his shoulder after a college career at Arizona marked by criticism and controversy.
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 5, 2018
Watch a behind-the-scenes look at how the likely No. 1 overall pick prepares for draft day on @watch_sitv: https://t.co/Wa3W4hoktC pic.twitter.com/dkWNHww0O4
Ayton is a great rim protector, rebounder and shot-blocker. His game is polished in the paint. He knows how to finish after having the ball dropped inside, but he can also hurt you with his jump shot. Some even think that his jumper could develop further outside as well.
Defensively, Ayton is much better than what some may have seen last year. Arizona asked him to guard players quicker than him and at the forward position, while Ayton is best suited at the true center position. If he’s in his element and up against guys his size, Ayton thrives, as shown by his two blocks per game last year.
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Ayton is a 7-footer and a prototypical center who has fantastic tools on both sides of the ball. Everyone would be shocked to see him go anywhere other than first overall, so if I were you as a Bulls fan, I wouldn’t even consider seeing him fall to Chicago.