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Chicago Bulls: Best Draft Options at Each Position

By Michael Whitlow

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With the NBA Draft just 15 days away, there really hasn’t been any indication as to who the Chicago Bulls will draft from the 22nd slot. Let’s take a look at the best options for the Bulls at each position if they decide to keep their only selection on draft night.

After LeBron James eliminated the Chicago Bulls for the fourth time in the last six seasons during this year’s postseason, the Bulls had a laundry list of questions, and hardly any answers.

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One question that was answered was whether or not Tom Thibodeau would be back after five seasons as head coach in Chicago. The Bulls fired Thibodeau and officially brought in Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg eight days ago.

So, with a new coach and a new system heading into next season, the Bulls can now focus on the future of the roster. Derrick Rose will enter his first healthy offseason since after the 2010-11 season. Jimmy Butler entered restricted free agency and is line for a huge new deal from the Bulls (or potentially someone else). Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah are the subject of trade rumors already.

On June 25, the Bulls will select 22nd in the first round of the NBA Draft. Last season, the Bulls traded their two first-round picks to acquire Doug McDermott, who suffered a knee injury, and never really had a chance to develop in his rookie campaign.

With that being said, the Bulls have roster holes to fill heading into the 2015-16 season, and one of those holes can be filled in 15 days during draft night.

Let’s take a look at the best options for the Bulls at No. 22, starting at the point guard position.

Mar 26, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Jerian Grant (22) reacts during the second half against the Wichita State Shockers in the semifinals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Point Guard: Jerian Grant, Notre Dame

Earlier this week, I wrote a profile on Jerian Grant being an awesome fit for the Bulls if he’s on the board at No. 22. It’s unlikely Grant will fall into the 20s on draft night, but if he’s there, the Bulls have to take him as their Rose contingency plan.

Not only did Grant lead the Athletic Coast Conference in assists per game last season, he led the Irish to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament and was named a First Team All-American. Grant be a playmaker as a lead guard, and he can provide some scoring off an NBA bench early on in his career.

Other options: Utah’s Delon Wright, Murray State’s Cameron Payne and Duke’s Tyus Jones.

Shooting Guard: R.J. Hunter, Georgia State

During this year’s NCAA Tournament, R.J. Hunter became one of the tournament’s darlings, after Georgia State shocked third-seeded Baylor in the Round of 64.

But, there’s also something else with Hunter: the kid can flat-out score the basketball.

Hunter won’t wow you defensively by any means, but with a 6-foot-6 frame and unlimited range on the floor, Hunter could be a nice addition to a Bulls roster that could be lacking shooting on the perimeter if Mike Dunleavy leaves town in free agency.

Other options: UNLV’s Rashad Vaughn, UNC’s J.P. Tokoto and UCLA’s Norman Powell.

Small Forward: Justin Anderson, Virginia

I know some are extremely high on the Bulls taking Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, but personally, Justin Anderson has the potential to be a legit NBA star.

Anderson’s built like a tank as a three already (6’6″, 231 lbs.), and his improvement on the offensive end this past year really had scouts contemplating how good the junior wing could be.

I know Bulls fans are confident that Jimmy Butler will stay in Chicago (I’m one of those people), but it never hurts to have a backup plan if Butler bolts elsewhere too this offseason. Anderson would be a great fit in Chicago.

Other options: Arizona’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Wisconsin’s Sam Dekker and Stanford’s Anthony Brown.

Mar 26, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney during practice the day before the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Power Forward: Kevon Looney, UCLA

This spot is tough to examine, due to the fact that many of the fours in this year’s draft are “young guy, high potential” guys that scouts and experts see going before the Bulls pick.

But, there is a possibility that one of these talented power forwards could slip down to the Bulls, and drafting a defensive presence if Taj Gibson‘s traded or Nikola Mirotic doesn’t show improvement on the defensive end, isn’t a bad idea.

Having said that, Kevon Looney would be a solid option for the Bulls. Not only is Looney one of the younger guys in the draft class (19 years old), he’s one of the most athletic at the PF position and can give the Bulls a boost on both ends.

Other options: Arkansas’ Bobby Portis, Louisville’s Montrezl Harrell and UNLV’s Christian Wood.

Center: Robert Upshaw, Washington

Bleacher Report’s James Davis and I briefly discussed how the Bulls don’t have a choice if they select a five-man with their 22nd pick.

The pick has to be Washington’s Robert Upshaw.

Sure, Upshaw had some off-court issues during his time with the Huskies, but the potential and size is worth taking a chance on. Upshaw’s a 7-foot, 258-pound freak, who can bring a dominating defensive presence and take some of the load off Joakim Noah‘s legs moving forward.

Personally, I could see him being a Rudy Gobert-type of player at times with his rim protection.

However, things have become questionable with Upshaw, as DraftExpress’ Jonathan Giovny recently reported that Upshaw has been “flagged” for a rather odd heart condition that he’s had for a while. He was cleared to play by both Fresno State and Washington to play, but NBA teams are rather cautious when health matters arise.

CBS Sports’ Sam Vecenie spoke more on Upshaw’s condition:

Other options: Syracuse’s Rakeem Christmas, Kansas’ Cliff Alexander (Chicago native) and Kentucky’s Dakari Johnson.

Along with their options at each position, there’s a possibility that the Bulls could trade their first-round pick once again this year.

Trading the pick wouldn’t be the best option, due to the uncertainty of the current roster. Butler and Dunleavy are entering free agency, Aaron Brooks is probably on his way out the door like the small Thibodeau guards before him, and Kirk Hinrich‘s 2014-15 season was an abomination.

Along with the lack of cash that could be facing the Bulls if Butler stays in town, the Bulls have two other all-star caliber players that are question marks due to past injuries, and only five teams are older than the Bulls’ roster average age of 28.5 years old.

If the Bulls want to compete next season and beyond, finding a gem late in the first round in two weeks could be just what the doctor ordered to get the ball rolling again.

Next: 2015 NBA Draft: Bulls can upgrade defensively at No. 22

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