Question No. 2: If the Bulls can’t get inside of the top 10 selections in the 2017 NBA Draft, what would be your plan?
DC: The site that I look at for draft projections pegs Miles Bridges as the best available at No. 14, where Chicago currently sits. That seems fine. If I had to guess, Grayson Allen would be my Bulls sleeper. They might also want to look at Justin Jackson, because Gar Forman will probably get confused and think he is Josh Jackson.
MF: If the Bulls keep the 14th pick like projected, I would go after Michigan State’s Miles Bridges. Averaging 16.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.5 blocks in his freshman season, I really like the athletic 6’7″ left handed wing player. He has the potential to be a great two-way player with his 3-point average of 38.9 percent (better than some) and field goal average of 48.6 percent. The kid can bring a junkyard dog mentality to a team with his menacing defense and athleticism. He truly is a talented player.
DB: Miles Bridges pops out to me, but let’s say Chicago is moving on from Butler and trading him. They should consider OG Anunoby from Indiana. Unfortunately, he was injured for a large portion of the season, but between the beginning of this season and last season, he showed the signs of a talented two-way player. If the Bulls truly want to get younger and more athletic, Anunoby is a great place to start.
MP: I don’t watch a ton of college basketball, so don’t take my analysis too seriously, but I think the Bulls should be targeting T.J. Leaf from UCLA should he fall to them. Leaf is a 6’10” power forward (or stretch five, maybe?) who can space the floor and play well on the inside as well. The hype around this man has been snuffed thanks to Lonzo Ball, but the Bulls shouldn’t sleep on him. Leaf could take over Nikola Mirotic’s spot in the rotation should he leave in free agency, and other than his strength (which can always be improved), Leaf looks like a promising young talent.
PS: I know a lot people want to look at the point guard position. But, I really want the Bulls to look into some kind of defensive-minded center. Ideally, a guy who is athletic, protects the rim, can defend in space and also has rim-running ability. So yeah, kind of picky.