Chicago Bulls: 2019 NBA Draft Lottery odds, first round mock
By Ryan Heckman
No. 5 overall: Forward Jarrett Culver, Texas Tech
This is where it starts to get a bit murky. Even Garland, to some, might be a bit of a reach at no. 4. But, that tends to be what happens in the NBA Draft every year. Beyond the first couple of picks, it always seems as though it could go one of several ways from thereon out.
At this stage, I believe you have to draft the best player available, regardless of position — which is truly how it should be all of the time. But, it gets difficult once you get outside the top three or four.
Jarrett Culver was a big reason why Texas Tech made it to the 2019 NCAA Title game this year. He was inconsistent in terms of being hot and cold in different halves at times, but when it mattered most, Culver did what he had to do.
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At 6-foot-6, Culver is an ideal swing man. For the most part, he does it all, even on the defensive end. In fact, he’s a phenomenal defensive player with the ability to guard multiple positions. His toughness on that end would be something the Bulls would welcome, without a doubt.
He likes to score more inside of the three-point line, but his outside shot isn’t awful (30 percent last season). Culver is at his best when he attacks the hoop and loves to get to the free throw line. In 2018-2019, he attempted 5.5 free throws per game.
It may be tough to find a place for him right away, unless the Bulls try and move Otto Porter — which would be odd, considering they dealt for him just last season. But, again, you have to draft the best player on the board and Culver very well could be at no. 5.