Not-So-Early Draft Board for Chicago Bulls in 2017 Draft: Part II
Small forwards
1. Ogugua “OG” Anunoby
Age: 19 years old
Measurements: 6’8″, 215 lbs.
Current team: Indiana
Wingspan: 7’6″ (supposedly)
Standing Reach: N/A
Current DX projection: No. 17 (to the Bulls)
Yeah, so … putting a player that hasn’t played in week because of a knee injury probably isn’t the best idea (especially being that this board is for the Bulls), but OG Anunoby would be a fantastic option for the Bulls with one of their potential two first-round picks.
Like I said about Anunoby back in October, there’s not a position on the floor that Anunoby can’t guard. He’s a strong specimen when he’s healthy and comes from that Kawhi Leonard/Stanley Johnson mold of ridiculously-strong wings.
He’s not the best shooter at this current juncture in his career and doesn’t really do a lot of create for others offensively (including getting his own shot off the dribble), but Leonard had the same negatives about him at San Diego State and he’s turned into one of the best players on the planet.
2. Miles Bridges
Age: 18 years old
Measurements: 6’6.25″ (in shoes), 226 lbs.
Current team: Michigan State
Wingspan: 6’8.25″
Standing Reach: 8’7″
Current DX projection: No. 11 (to the Bulls)
Like Anunoby, Miles Bridges is one of the projected selections for the Bulls (via Draft Express) in their latest mock.
Whether you identify Bridges as a 3 or a 4, he’s a fantastic athlete that can be a force in transition, on the offensive glass and defensively. He’s not going to wow you with his shooting either, but he’s a “younger and more athletic” option than what the Bulls have in their front court as of now.
The thing (or things) I personally like about Bridges is that he’s built like an NBA player already at just 18 years old and his motor is something to behold. The Bulls need athletes. This would be a good choice.
3. Justin Jackson
Age: 21 years old
Measurements: 6’8.25″ (in shoes), 193 lbs.
Current team: North Carolina
Wingspan: 6’10.25″
Standing Reach: 8’7.5″
Current DX projection: No. 25
Justin Jackson went through the 2016 NBA Draft Combine, but decided to come back for one more season at Chapel Hill and it’s looking like it was a great decision.
Jackson is shooting almost 39 percent from 3-point range on over six attempts per game for the North Carolina Tar Heels this season and he’s been one of the best players in one of the best conferences in the country: the Athletic Coast Conference.
He’s big in terms of his height, but he’s not built like Bridges, who could be listed as a 4, too. Still, Jackson has made some nice strides this season. He’ll be 22 years old soon, but he’s a good prospect and a legitimate first-round option.
Other names to keep your eyes on
- I mentioned Clemson’s Jaron Blossomgame this past October despite being ancient for a draft prospect at 23 years old, but not many at his position in this class can light up a scoreboard like he can
- Dwyane Bacon is somebody that I’ve enjoyed watching this season along with Jonathan Isaac for the Florida State Seminoles, despite being an older sophomore at 21 years old
- V.J. Beachem will be on the Bulls big board for a couple reasons: 1) He went to Notre Dame, John Paxson’s alma mater (and he’s already been scouted by Paxson and Gar Forman) and 2) He’s actually an underrated player at the position that could be a legitimate option for the Bulls