The Chicago Bulls did not have high expectations this season. After shipping out superstar Jimmy Butler, they began the tanking process. They have had their highs and lows this season, and as we are now past the All-Star break, the Bulls should be looking ahead to the 2018 draft to continue their rebuild.
Chicago is currently 20-37, and if the season ended today, they would have the 8th overall pick in the draft. However, we are only at the All-Star break, and anything can happen. That means that by the time it’s all said and done, the Bulls pick could range from 1 to 10. Although the more important question might be: who should Chicago be looking to take in the upcoming draft?
When deciding who (and what kind) of player to draft, you first have to take a look at what the Bulls already have
While this team does not have a lot of talent now, they do house a lot of potential.
Since returning from injury, Zach LaVine has averaged 17 points and 5 assists per game, he’s becoming the star scoring guard the Bulls hoped he would.
Speaking of guards, Kris Dunn came on very strong midway through the season before being injured. He had a rough rookie season, but he’s turning his career around given his new opportunity in the Windy City.
At only 22 and 23 years old respectively, it seems like Chicago has as backcourt to depend on in LaVine and Dunn in the near future.
The other place the Bulls have talent and some depth is with their big men. Rookie Lauri Markkanen is on track to be named to the first-team NBA All-Rookie team. He’s averaging 15 points and almost 8 rebounds per game. Bobby Portis has also had an underrated season and is putting up 12 points and 6 rebounds per game.
While the Bulls are not necessarily good right now, they do have pieces to build around at the guard position, as well as with their big men.
That leaves us with what the Bulls need to scout for the upcoming draft – athletic wing players
The one area on the depth chart that Chicago is really lacking in is wing players.
Justin Holiday has been serviceable for a down year, but in a league where athletic, scoring wing-type players are incredibly valuable, the Bulls need more prolific players. With two first-round picks in the 2018 NBA Draft, they will have the opportunity to address that need. If the season ended today, their first pick would be 8th overall, and they should use that to get an athletic wing player.
Who will be there for the Bulls to draft?
I see a couple guys the Bulls should be going after if they are still available.
Michigan State sophomore Miles Bridges is one of those wings that would help Chicago tremendously. Bridges has out of this world athleticism and is a versatile scorer. He would be an ideal guy to run with LaVine and as enormous upside.
Another good selection would be junior Mikal Bridges from Villanova. Mikal is a better shooter than Miles, has big game experience, and could really become one of the league’s sharpshooters.
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With LaVine and Dunn creating for others, Bridges may be the outside presence the Bulls need. If Chicago ends up with a better pick, they will have a chance to grab someone like Michael Porter Jr., or Luka Doncic.
No matter where that pick ends up, the Bulls need to add wing depth to their roster.