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Not-So-Early Draft Board for Chicago Bulls in 2017 Draft: Part II

By Michael Whitlow

Feb 5, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) moves the ball around Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 5, 2017; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles guard Dwayne Bacon (4) moves the ball around Clemson Tigers guard Marcquise Reed (2) during the second half at the Donald L. Tucker Center. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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Justin Patton has a Creighton connection, so maybe the Chicago Bulls would consider?
Feb 15, 2017; Newark, NJ, USA; Creighton Bluejays center Justin Patton (23) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /

Centers

1. Justin Patton

Age: 19 years old

Measurements: 6’11”, 215 lbs.

Current team: Creighton

Wingspan: N/A

Standing Reach: N/A

Current DX projection: No. 13

“Who the hell is this Justin Patton kid that just went coast-to-coast?”

That happened earlier this season watching Creighton and it didn’t take me long to figure out just who Patton was.

The only other big that’s has had a rise in his stock like Patton is Robert Williams. Patton’s stock has risen everyday seemingly with his near-seven-foot frame and ability to not only block and alter shots defensively, but being able to handle the basketball and be a versatile player offensively.

He already feels like this year’s Deyonta Davis in terms of his Anthony Davis-like potential with his frame and style of play.

2. Edrice “Bam” Adebayo

Age: 18 years old

Measurements: 6’10”, 258 lbs.

Current team: Kentucky

Wingspan: 7’1.5″

Standing Reach: 9’0″

Current DX projection: No. 21

There have been plenty of times this season where I’ve found myself watching Bam Adebayo and I asked myself, “This kid is the biggest and strongest human in the gym. Why doesn’t he play like it?”

Adebayo has ethered a few different bigs at the rim with earth-shattering dunks for Kentucky, but his overall performance has been a bit underwhelming in what one would assume as his lone season in Lexington.

Still, he’s built like a brick house at 6’10” and almost 260 pounds. He’s 18 years old.

Yeah, there’s potential that hasn’t been tapped into yet.

3. Jarrett Allen

Age: 18 years old

Measurements: 6’10.75″ (in shoes), 224 lbs.

Current team: Texas

Wingspan: 7’5.5″

Standing Reach: 9’1.5″

Current DX projection: No. 18 (in 2018 mock)

Jarrett Allen is one of those prospect that could spend more time in school, but if he did decide to come out after one season with the Longhorns, the potential there’s for a front court weapon.

He’s not exactly huge at 224 pounds, but he’s ridiculously long at (almost) 6’11” with a 7’5.5″ wingspan. There were doubts about Myles Turner coming out after just one season in Austin too, and that has worked out just nicely for the Indiana Pacers next to Paul George.

Allen could be the next in line to come from the burnt orange’s front court that makes an impact on an NBA frontline soon.

Other names to keep your eyes on

  • I mentioned France’s Jonathan Jeanne back in October as a potential draft-and-stash option for the Bulls up front in their future as a 7’2″ rim protector that’s not Rudy Gobert, but something along those lines
  • Kennedy Meeks is very Cristiano Felicio-ish and I don’t care if I said this in October too, but he’s just a solid big that does a lot for a team offensively with his screen-setting, work on the blocks and rolling to the rim off those screens
  • A name you probably haven’t heard of, but should be paying a bit of attention to: North Carolina State’s Omer Yurtseven
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