De’Aaron Fox is worth the Bulls trading up in the 2017 NBA Draft
By Willie Lutz
The Chicago Bulls don’t have a lottery pick, but could they with a drastic move? Here’s why the Bulls should make a move for Kentucky prospect De’Aaron Fox to solidify the point guard position’s future.
The NBA Draft is perhaps the best way for a team to get younger, cheaper, and create a narrative for the future of a franchise.
The Chicago Bulls‘ needs were visible following their first round collapse against the Boston Celtics. The undying grit and authoritativeness that Rajon Rondo brought to the table showcased the missing link in the Chicago rotation.
In revolving door fashion, the Rajon Rondo-Cameron Payne–Michael Carter-Williams experiment that took place last year was, by most visual standards, a failure. Despite the regular season mess, Rondo’s final spin of the season went considerably well. Due to a poorly-timed broken thumb, that last spin was cut short.
Relying on Rondo to continue his reign of postseason success is misguided (that sounds like a Hillary Clinton defense). His 11.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 10.0 assists averaged over his pair of postseason efforts aren’t going to mock for his regular season. Since leaving Boston, Rondo has only once averaged more than 10 points (11.7 with Sacramento in the 2015-16 season).
What would that really do?
Despite the Bulls’ better intentions to hold on to picks and bank on a gold nugget, it’s time to make a move for the future of the franchise. There is a guard from Rondo’s alma mater who would, perhaps instantly, elevate this Bulls roster beyond the point of mediocrity: De’Aaron Fox.
Statistically speaking, Fox’s ability to act as a catalyst for the Kentucky offense was down-right impressive. This was evidenced by his 16.7 points and 4.6 assists per game, while his 47.8 percentage from the field showcases his scoring efficiency.
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In terms of size and strength, Fox’s lanky frame of 6-foot-4, 170 pounds isn’t exactly daunting. What truly makes Fox great is his competitiveness, which is perhaps the best of among all other draft prospects.
Want to take a look for yourself? Here’s a look back to Fox’s emotional reaction following his Kentucky Wildcats’ season-ending 75-73 loss to North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight:
Granted, Chicago sports fans probably aren’t ready for another Draft Day trade, considering the move to hemorrhage picks for Mitchell Trubisky (although Trubisky did go to North Carolina, which is a basketball school, so maybe the Bulls should take a flyer).
Despite their neighbor’s move, the Bulls have a much better chance to strike gold by moving up for Fox.
Offense aside, it’s all about Fox’s intangibles
Fox is a guard stopper on defense, which was displayed best during Kentucky’s Sweet 16 victory over the UCLA Bruins. Fox held consensus top-3 pick Lonzo Ball to only 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting, while forcing four turnovers.
In terms of competitiveness, De’Aaron Fox was a key member to a Kentucky team that went 32-6 and was a considerable NCAA Championship threat.
Factor in that Fox is part of a Kentucky program under head coach John Calipari. This is the same Calipari, mind you, that has produced John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Karl Anthony-Towns and Devin Booker, which makes up just a short list of 39 NBA Players produced by the coach.
Calipari, The NBA All-Star generator himself, displayed his affection for the 19-year-old’s play in a series of tweets:
What you saw from De’Aaron over the last month and a half of the season I think is what NBA teams will get for the future.
— John Calipari (@UKCoachCalipari) April 3, 2017
There is considerable talent in this draft class. It was on display for the during the NCAA Tournament. Even if the Bulls stick with the end-of-the-lottery level talent, they’re likely to get a better-than-replacement caliber player.
However, in order to turn this ship around, it’s going to take more than just that guy; it’s going to take “the” guy.
It’s been since 2008 that the Bulls have spent a first-round pick on a point guard. Despite a rash of injuries, mostly to a pair of knees, that one actually went pretty well (and he was also a Calipari product).
Next: PAE's Post-Lottery Big Board for the No. 16 pick names to watch
De’Aaron Fox is among a handful of can’t-miss guards at the top of the draft class. However, Fox alone who can alleviate the woes administered by the Bulls’ point guards during the 2016-17 season.