2016 NBA Draft: North Carolina’s Brice Johnson
Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken looks at potential picks for the Chicago Bulls with the 14th overall selection in the 2016 NBA Draft. As for the Bulls’ second-round pick (No. 48), the pick could be traded or used for a potential sleeper. Could North Carolina’s Brice Johnson be there?
A major factor as to why the North Carolina Tar Heels were a big favorite to win the national championship this past season was because of the play of All-American forward Brice Johnson.
Johnson, a 21-year-old from Cordova, South Carolina, was one of college basketball’s elite athletes during his time at Chapel Hill. Although his figure is slim for his size (209 pounds and stands 6’10.5″ in shoes with a 7′.25″ wingspan, according to DraftExpress), Johnson dominated games throughout UNC’s run to the title game.
This past season, Johnson averaged 17 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game and was named to college basketball’s All-America First Team during his senior season.
The Bulls have two picks as of now for the 2016 NBA Draft (No. 14 and 48) and if Johnson were to fall down into the second round, Johnson should certainly be on their board at No. 48.
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After taking Bobby Portis at No. 22 last summer, it would make more sense to draft a player that can play more of a center-type role for the Bulls and be an anchor on the defensive end with one of their two picks. The hope is for Portis to be that stretch-four, small-ball five of the future.
Johnson isn’t that type of player that can shut the lane down, but he’s still can be a valuable defensive threat. (He averaged 2.2 blocks and 1.6 steals per 40 minutes this past season.)
For a team that doesn’t have a lot of defensive playmakers — and could be losing their best one in free agency (Joakim Noah) — Brice Johnson isn’t the best option, but he’s one to consider if the Bulls want to improve on that over-107 defensive rating from this past season.
These two plays from his ridiculous 39-point, 23-rebound(!) performance against Florida State this past season sums up his athleticism and potential to be a ferocious front court weapon.
A block on one end and then the Kevin Love-ish outlet dime to Marcus Paige for the easy deuce? You can’t teach that.
Offensively, what can’t Johnson do in transition?
From Matt Kamalsky of DraftExpress:
"Finishing at an outrageous 83% clip in transition and a markedly improved 69% in the half court, up from 64% a year ago, Johnson’s ability to convert lobs, dump-off passes, and create easy shots for himself on the glass stood out at times. A highlight waiting to happen, Johnson seems like the type of athletic big man who could contribute at the next level with his hustle on the glass and athleticism off the ball, especially if he’s paired with a dynamic, shot creating guard."
When you watch Johnson’s strengths video from DX, the first thing that Mike Schmitz breaks down is Johnson’s ability to run the floor for easy points.
Once again, this is a trait as to why Portis was drafted, but with him looking more for a consistent jump shot on the perimeter throughout his rookie season, Johnson’s ability to finish at the rim could be meaningful for the Bulls and a faster pace under Fred Hoiberg.
Related Story: 2016 NBA Draft: Kentucky's Tyler Ulis
In my own opinion, Johnson has a first-round grade written all over him. But, with him spending four years in college (he’ll be 22 four days after the draft), a slimmer frame and a wingspan that doesn’t fit his body, there’s the potential that he slides on draft night.
However, there’s also the potential of him being a key piece in a rotation. He’s not going to be a main option for an offense. He’s not an anchor that can clog the paint. Despite all of that, he’s still one of the draft’s best athletes and can make plays on both ends that many others in this class can’t make.
Like Michigan State’s Deyonta Davis (who we’ve profiled already here at PAE), Johnson is a project as a big man, but his mid-range game is solid, he has tremendous touch around the basket and a good shooting form that could translate into an expanded offensive repertoire.
The Bulls may look elsewhere due to them hoping that Portis is this kind of player in the future on both ends of the floor, but if the Bulls are looking for energy on both ends (and someone they can possibly store with the new Windy City Bulls for a while), Johnson could be a nice addition to the franchise.
Next: 2016 NBA Draft: Providence's Kris Dunn
Those “aggressive changes” that the Bulls front office mentioned at the end of year could result in some roster vacancies up front and the Bulls need athletes everywhere.
Brice Johnson wouldn’t be a bad selection to fill one of those openings.