Chicago Bulls: 2019 NBA Draft Lottery odds, first round mock
By Ryan Heckman
No. 4 overall: Point guard Darius Garland, Vanderbilt
If you’re unfamiliar with Darius Garland, I don’t blame you. He only played in five games last year before suffering a torn meniscus. Garland’s college career didn’t last long at Vanderbilt, as he declared for the NBA Draft despite his season getting cut short.
Coming out of high school, Garland knew the NBA was in his future. He was one of the top high school prospects and, while last year was a disappointment, most folks already assumed he’d be a lottery pick anyways.
The 6-foot-2 guard can score in a variety of ways, and shot nearly 48 percent from three-point range in his five games with Vanderbilt last year. He’s a feisty defender with a team-first mentality, and would fit well with the Bulls. Garland, assuming he’s completely healthy and can handle a full workload, would start immediately as a rookie.
Like Morant, Garland would fill the Bulls’ biggest need at the moment. While he’s not Morant, Williamson or Barrett, I think Garland is the best-case scenario for the Bulls at no. 4. There are some other guys who may be worthy of the pick, but filling such a huge need has to be priority for the front office.