4. Versatile, Long-Term Project
Mar 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) controls the ball against Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Kyle Wiltjer (33) during the first half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
This is going to be a real possibility if the Bulls think they can fill their holes next season through free agency. They will have a decent amount of cap room and, even after re-signing Butler, could sign a few more guys, especially if they are willing to pay the luxury tax. Whoever they draft hear could be a building block for the model of the future team.
Kevon Looney: Looney is the ultimate high-risk, high-upside guy in the draft. He may have been the fourth or fifth best player on a UCLA team that barely made the tournament, but his upside is immense. No one really knows how to classify his strength or weaknesses because most people believe he will be a completely different player in a couple of years, if not months.
All U Can Heat
Looney has a lot of length and agility. He can play inside and on the perimeter with a pretty decent jumper. If the Bulls drafted him, I would be shocked if he played at all his rookies season. But if Chicago does want versatility, they may have found their version of the “Greek Freak” in Looney. The only knocks on him are everything that can be added with time. In an organization that emphasizes hard work and already has talent to fill the floor, Looney may just be a perfect fit.
Kelly Oubre: Oubre had a very up-and-down year with Kansas. He has all the physical tools to be a great NBA player, but lacked consistency and mental strength during his one college season. He has everything needed to be a great player—size, shooting and athleticism—but never put it together enough for teams to believe he was a high-end lottery pick. He reminds me of another product from the Big XII a couple of years ago: Perry Jones III.
The Bulls normally don’t take guys like Oubre and I don’t think they should now. If you are drafting Oubre, you are drafting him for the 15-percent chance he becomes a star. There isn’t much in between with him. If he has never shown maturity during these workouts with millions of dollars on the line, I don’t think he ever will.
Final Thoughts: If the Bulls select either of these guys, both under 20, it will mean putting deliberate emphasis on how Hoiberg wants to play in the future. With both of these players, no one really knows what they are, they just know that something is there. Put these players in the Bulls locker room—filled with hardworking, team-oriented veterans—and their high-risk gamble could pay off. If Chicago feels they can get all the help they need for next season from free agency, going long-term, high-risk is the best option.
Next: 5. Trade the pick?