Five Directions the Bulls Could Go in the Draft
By Nick Jordan
Sep 29, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls general manager Gar Forman during media day at the Advocate Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The 2014 NBA Draft was the one that everyone was supposed to be really excited about. It was dubbed “one of the best in history”, as the Chicago Bulls had two picks in top-20, and there were at least three players labeled as the “possible best player in the NBA in a decade.”
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Whether it is because the Bulls turned their two picks into Doug “DNP” McDermott, or a number of other players have underperformed during their rookie season, last year’s draft looks to have been ultimately overhyped.
One year later, the draft is upon us and the excitement has returned. 2015 didn’t have the allure of 2014, but now, after the rise of once overlooked players and the emergence of two international stars, 2015 seems to be coming with as much excitement as its predecessor.
This year, the Bulls have the 22nd pick in the draft. With Fred Hoiberg on board, the Bulls are anticipated to have a vastly different playing style, and in turn, drafting style. The last few seasons Chicago has drafted their players based on defensive ability with the thought that their offensive game would improve with age. The Bulls are expected to play more with the characteristics of Hoiberg’s Iowa State teams from the pat few seasons: lots of shooting and spacing, versatile players, and an emphasis on up-tempo pace.
One problem: almost no one on the Bulls current roster fits the mold. If the Bulls are really going to play the way Hoiberg’s Iowa State teams have played, the only players that make sense for Chicago in the long-term future are Nikola Mirotic, Tony Snell, Jimmy Butler and possibly Derrick Rose.
This leaves a massive dilemma facing the Bulls on Thursday night: draft to improve the roster they already have or draft to fit Hoiberg’s scheme in the long-term future.
Last season they didn’t really have room for another player in the rotation, but Mike Dunleavy and Aaron Brooks are both free agents this offseason. If the Bulls choose not re-sign either of those guys, a very possible reality, Chicago is going to be looking for—either in free agency or the draft—what they can never seem to find: shooting and scoring.
If they choose to go after a player that will help the team immediately, it could hinder their projected output down the road. It really is an impossible decision that the general manager of almost any good team has to make.
Ultimately, I see five different routes Chicago can choose to go come Thursday evening.
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