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Trading Up: Packages the Bulls could use for move up in 2017 NBA Draft

By Willie Lutz

Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball perations John Paxson (left) and general manager Gar Forman (center) talk with sports writer Sam Smith (right) prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball perations John Paxson (left) and general manager Gar Forman (center) talk with sports writer Sam Smith (right) prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 25, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) goes to the basket against New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; New York, NY, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Jahlil Okafor (8) goes to the basket against New York Knicks center Willy Hernangomez (14) during first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3 overall pick in 2017 NBA Draft: Philapelphia 76ers (via SAC)

Under the reign of GM/head coach Brett Brown, the 76ers have been stuck in “Trust the Process” land since 2013. Despite the emergence of C Joel Embiid as the first real gem to come out of the 76ers’ process, they’re atop the draft board once again. Their pick at No. 3 represents their fifth consecutive year drafting in the lottery.

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    • Eventually, their ship has to turn around, or so they’d hope. Their top pick from 2016, Ben Simmons, is set to lose his medical redshirt. Joel Embiid appears to be an All-Star-caliber talent when healthy. Players like SF Robert Covington and PG T.J. McConnell appear to have made great strides during the 2016-2017 season.

    Then, there’s the frustrating C Jahlil Okafor.

    Since coming into the league in 2016, Okafor has struggled to find true consistancy. Okafor has missed at least 25 games in each of his first two seasons, in addition to averaging just 4.8 rebounds and 11.8 points in 22.7 minutes a game last season.

    This makes Bulls C Robin Lopez an interesting trade candidate for the 76ers, who could use a consistent assistant to Joel Embiid, who’s had continuing injury issues of his own.

    If getting younger and getting cheaper is in the works for the Bulls, then this trade makes a ton of sense.

    Getting in the way of this trade would be a culture shift for the 76ers, as Lopez’s $13.8 million salary would be $4 million more than the next-highest figure in the Philadelphia books. Staying affordable and “trusting the process” has been the game so far for Brown, but at some point, he’ll have to change that narrative … that’s if he plans on a) winning and b) keeping his job.

    If anything is to scare the Bulls in this deal, it’s that they’d likely be stuck giving up a future first-rounder, as the 76ers can be stingy when it comes to their picks.

    Additionally, Lopez is solidified, where Okafor would be a project.

    What a package might look like: 2017 first round pick (No. 3) and C Jahlil Okafor to CHI, 2017 First Round pick (No. 16)

    Who the Bulls would take: PG De’Aaron Fox, SF Josh Jackson, SG Malik Monk

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