Grading Bulls’ Last 5 First-Round Picks

2022 #18 Overall: Dalen Terry, Wing, Arizona (Incomplete)

Strong start. As much as there is to critique about organizational strategy as of late, Terry fit into a desirable mold. A young, long, and athletic swingman coming out of Arizona, the 21-year-old improved his shooting across the board in his two years in Tuscon. With a spindly, springy 6-foot-7 frame and 7-foot-1 wingspan, his defensive tools are preternatural.

All that remains true, there’s been limited time to judge his pro translation. Terry played all of 11.5 minutes across 59 games for a play-in team as he battled injury. In fairness, his improvements in the defensive box plus-minus (per Dunks and Threes) suggests viability – albeit still shooting 23% from three on low volume.

Terry still has a runway to become a viable rotation player – particularly if Chicago’s recent moves suggest a rebuild coming. Grading a raw player who averages less than a quarter of playing time feels slightly unfair. He’ll likely get the chance to make his own grade next to the cavalcade of young players the Bulls have yet to develop.

2020 #4 Overall: Patrick Williams, Wing, Florida St. (C-)

I think much of the despondence surrounding Williams goes hand-in-hand with the Bulls’ lack of direction. This is Karnišovas’ first draft. The small issue of a pandemic and a seemingly weak overall class led them to swinging hard on the youngest player in the draft, one that had an NBA-ready body and encouraging touch (83.8% from the line at Florida State).

Yet, Williams was met with a rookie season that signaled a stark shift in organizational approach. Trading for Vučević that March meant Chicago was not content to let Williams grow into a larger offensive role alongside Zach LaVine while the franchise toiled its way to a few more high lottery picks.

Despite demonstrating a near 40% three-point shot that has held up across his career and flashing the solid defender he has since become; the ball was taken out of Williams’ hands. He was forced even further off the potential star track once DeMar DeRozan and Lonzo Ball (for a time) hoovered up the last morsels of on-ball reps.

Let’s not be too apologetic. Williams remains a strong shooter on lower volume, but only shot 52.6% at the rim last year – landing in the 6th percentile. For such a strong, long player it’s unacceptable to not be able to convert your shooting threat into effective rim attacks. His career assist and turnover averages are the same (1.3 per game).

This grade is born of a hope that there is still time. Williams turns 23 in August, and if he’s anything like myself (born three weeks earlier) he’s got a whole lot of room to improve. A better handle and stronger finishing could make that star upside feel more attainable – but time’s almost up.