2017 NBA Draft Prospects: Washington's Markelle Fultz

Atop this year’s NBA Draft is Markelle Fultz. Actually, that’s not true. It’s Markelle Fultz or Fultz, Markelle. Regardless, there is a top prospect in this draft. Perhaps the clearest No. 1 since Derrick Rose in 2008, maybe even LeBron James in 2003, Fultz is due-up to be a generational talent. After the flash and fade of Rose, nine years later, Markelle Fultz could redeem Rose’s “what could’ve been” career.

Around the deadline, you’ll remember a buzz in the air that something was going to happen with Jimmy Butler. Let history, and the Bulls’ roster show that it didn’t.

Recall a package put forward by Gar Forman and John Paxson that essentially requested the entire Boston Celtics‘ roster and the potential No. 1 overall pick.

There is a vast difference between selecting No. 16 in the NBA Draft and No. 1 overall. As it stands, the Bulls’ don’t necessarily have much of a choice. The last All-Star to be selected at No. 16 was Ron “Metta World Peace” Artest by the Bulls in 1999.

Meanwhile, No. 1 overall picks have a pretty good ration of success. Perhaps I don’t need to list the grouping, but for context, it includes Magic Johnson, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal.

Watch Fultz film online. This guy is the real deal. Sure, I can plug his stats, but this guy is the derivative of the eye test. Five minutes of Fultz will convince you that you’ve seen a 19-year-old Hall of Famer taking his first steps.

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There’s also just something magical about that spot in drafts. Examining the Bulls, Jimmy Butler, who went at No. 30 is arguably a better player than Derrick Rose, at least over a stretch of time.

No Bulls fan will tell you how excited they were when Jimmy Butler first took the floor at the United Center. Many will tell you, on the other hand, the sincere hope that embodied Rose’s first minutes.

Derrick Rose hurt the heart of many fans following the knee injuries. What could’ve been. If there is an option, in any sort of capacity, to trade north for Markelle Fultz, the narrative will shift once again. This time? What could be.

Nothing happens right away in the NBA. It takes everyone some time to get their stride. When Fultz hits his, he could be an All-Star with MVP candidacy. Jimmy Butler will likely move on and be in-and-out of All-Star games depending on the year.

Again, to clarify, I absolutely believe that the Celtics will keep the top pick. I would absolutely, in their shoes, argue that they SHOULD keep the top pick. However, Jimmy Butler is still a very attractive add for a franchise that may be one guy away from beating LeBron James in the Eastern Conference.

Next: Remodeling the Chicago Bulls' bench for the 2017-18 season

So, if it’s for Fultz, I’d be okay if the Bulls trade the moon and a half, because one day, he’s going to be worth a lot of stars. Even just to give us a glimmer of hope, that this office wants to win a title, call Danny Ainge. Besides, one phone call could change the narrative of basketball history.

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2017 NBA Draft Prospects: Washington’s Markelle Fultz

By Willie Lutz | Jun 7, 2017