Chicago Bulls: Pre-NBA Draft offseason primer, hype manual
Draft trades get their own slide.
Trade Down: I can envision a deal with the Boston Celtics because they possess three first-round selections. The Bulls could procure picks 14 and 20 (and/or maybe 22) and go with a plethora of combinations. They could hit the front and backcourts and roll with Jaxson Hayes and Tyler Herro (one of my favorite prospects), gamble on both Kevin Porter Jr. and Bol Bol or double down on Kentucky Wildcats in P.J. Washington (another favorite) and Keldon Johnson.
With the Hawks acquiring an extra pick (17th) from Brooklyn, they also could be interested in a deal with Chicago (albeit, they wouldn’t be moving up too many draft slots). I’m all for getting more swings of the bat when it comes to the NBA draft because I’m all about value.
Trade Up: By far the least likely trade situation. But it’s not impossible. From ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, the Knicks were considering “a number of alternative scenarios with the No. 3 pick that doesn’t involve R.J. Barrett”. Immediately after the draft lottery, the team was linked with Barrett (or that pick was going to be used in an attempt to get Anthony Davis).
Although, Barrett did recently say he only wanted to play for the Knicks, could the Bulls do something super bold and move up to get the volume scorer? What would they need to give up? Would it even be worth it?
Also, in the fallout of the Davis to the Lakers deal, the Pelicans have been getting calls about the number four pick in the draft. While the team wouldn’t be getting Barrett at four, they could secure the player of their choice by moving up from seven.
38th Pick: I’m throwing this pick in this slide because it is relevant. And what a pleasant surprise pick 38 turned out to be. The second round in the NBA draft is all about upside, because eight out of ten times, you’re shooting blanks here.
Unless they don’t send the pick away for cash considerations or in a trade, then projects or high upside guys like mountain man Tacko Fall, microwave scorer Shamorie Ponds, or even a defensive menace like Charles Matthews. They could possibly take one of his teammates, the versatile forward, Iggy Brazdeikis, or high upside gunner, Jordan Poole. All can be options to hopefully grow and develop.
NOTE: As dumbfounding and as on-brand as the Bulls front office can be sometimes, I think we have to give them credit for procuring the 38th pick from the Grizzlies. Just one small, teeny, tiny request:
For the love of everything sacred, don’t trade it.
Please.
Actually, like, use it to draft an actual player. Don’t sell it off for more cash considerations. Don’t just give it away for cap relief. Actually, do some scouting and research this time and see what guys happen to be available. You probably find a diamond in the rough if you look hard enough. There have been some legitimate NBA contributors that have been taken in the second round the last few years.
Here are some of the recent noteworthy ones:
I’m not even talking about undrafted players like Fred VanVleet, who had one heck of a Finals showing. They need to look carefully there as well.