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2017 NBA Draft: How the Bulls could attack their needs with the No. 16 and 38 picks

By Michael Whitlow

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a video board displaying all thirty draft picks in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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OG Anunoby, 2017 NBA Draft prospect.
Jan 18, 2017; University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions guard Tony Carr (10) shoots the ball as Indiana Hoosiers forward OG Anunoby (3) defends during the first half at Bryce Jordan Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-USA TODAY Sports /

Athleticism

The Bulls may have an average age of 26.1 years old for their current roster, but when you look at the personnel they possess, that whole “younger and more athletic” mantra that became a joke among those that frequently watched the Bulls play against teams that would run them out of the gym on more than one occasion last season.

The Bulls have youth and potential players, but not enough athletes. There’s no stud athlete on the Bulls roster as of now. Jimmy Butler is asked to carry a huge workload, which has slowed his athleticism over the last few seasons. Dwyane Wade isn’t “The Flash” anymore because Father Time is unbeaten. Rajon Rondo isn’t the guard that won a title and made multiple All-Star Games in Boston these days.

Behind the “Three Alphas”, there’s no athletes. Jerian Grant and Denzel Valentine aren’t leaping out of any arenas. Paul Zipser has shown bits of being a fun athlete. The same could be said for Cristiano Felicio, who like Mirotic, may also not return next season. Getting younger is fine, but having athletes that can turn the tide on the franchise’s direction is what the Bulls are looking for.

Here’s who the Bulls could look at to address their need (at No. 16):

  • Indiana’s OG Anunoby: Before his season-ending knee injury (yeah, I know … Bulls and knee injuries), OG Anunoby was one of my personal favorites in this draft class. A 6-foot-6.25 wing without shoes and a 7-foot-2.25 wingspan, Anunoby rose to prominence with a solid NCAA Tournament two years ago and his ability to guard every position on the floor with his raw strength and NBA body. His game is still in the works, but if healthy, he could be of the Kawhi Leonard mold.
  • Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell: Donovan Mitchell became a big Bulls favorite at the 2017 NBA Draft Combine with his play and measureables. A 6-foot-1.25 guard without shoes with a 6-foot-10 wingspan (!), Mitchell caught the eyes of many in Chicago. He’s an attacker offensively and his potential is high defensively with those Rajon Rondo-like arms.
  • Australia’s Terrance Ferguson: Despite not really getting a chance to flourish during his one season in Australia’s NBL instead of a year at Arizona with Sean Miller, Terrance Ferguson still remains in the first round on many mock draft projections because of his youth, size, shooting and his ability to leap out of a gym.

Here’s who the Bulls could look at to address their need (at No. 38):

  • SMU’s Semi Ojeleye: We’ve already hit Ojeleye’s shooting, but his body and ability to make an impact on a game could be a welcoming trend for the Bulls organization if he’s available in the second round. Just ask USC about his athleticism.
  • Kentucky’s Hamidou Diallo: Despite not playing under John Calipari at Kentucky after enrolling early, teams got a chance to see why Hamidou Diallo would probably be a lottery in the 2018 NBA Draft. A very raw athlete with a jumper that needs work, Diallo is among the ranks of the best athletes in this or even next year’s class.
  • Xavier’s Edmond Sumner: When you watch Edmond Sumner play, you wouldn’t think he had a history of knee issues at Xavier. Despite his injury history and his age (21 years old already), he’s a 6-foot-4 guard without shoes with a nice 6-foot-9 wingspan and a quick first step off the dribble that would make a lot of guys have to work hard defensively.
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