Which player do you want the Chicago Bulls to draft and why?
LA: I have two different opinions here. You can mark me down as a passenger on the Marvin Bagley III bandwagon. I think he’s the most talented player in this draft and if he’s available when the Bulls are picking, I say forget about fit – take the best player (Bagley) and worry about the rest later. However, if we’re talking about fitting in with the current roster, I think the obvious answer is Mo Bamba from Texas. His rim protection and defensive upside are exactly what the Bulls need. So either of those two guys and I’ll be a happy camper.
DG: The player that I want the Bulls to take in the draft is Michael Porter Jr. I love the way Porter plays the game. This guy can score whenever he wants. He has the potential of being a superstar in the NBA.
KP: Michigan State forward Jaren Jackson Jr. He would be an ideal fit with Markkanen in the frontcourt as a player who can stretch the floor, protect the rim and wouldn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective.
MO: Before the season, I said Michael Porter Jr. I still say Michael Porter Jr. Thankfully, it’ll be difficult for the Bulls to go wrong. They could use a young asset both at center and on the wing. Assuming they end up picking sixth, one of Michael Porter, Luka Doncic, Mo Bamba, or Jaren Jackson Jr. should be there for the taking, and I think all four will make fine professional basketball players. Doncic will likely be off the board, but Porter’s size (6’10”) on the wing would just fit in so perfectly, and given that he sat out almost the entire college basketball season, he just might slip to the Bulls. Please, basketball gods, let it happen.
NN: I’m personally on the Wendell Carter Jr. hype train if he’s available when the Bulls pick. He’s a high IQ and deliberate big who could play well next to Lauri for years to come, stretching the floor and hopefully becoming the rim protector Markkanen doesn’t project to be. I worry about his athleticism and I don’t think he’ll be a superstar, but I think he could be the defensive cornerstone that all playoff teams want. I’d also be happy with Trae Young and Michael Porter Jr., although I think their transitions into the NBA could be really rough at first.
IMK: I would love for the Bulls to get Marvin Bagley III, as his all-around game would complement Markkanen very well. Otherwise, I’d want us to get a SF in Mikal Bridges or Michael Porter Jr., as they would provide a defensive spark in the lineup.
WL: I’m starting to sell myself on Michael Porter Jr. because he’s too interesting of a talent to pass up. The lost year at college doesn’t really scare me; MPJ will get more athletic in the NBA and he’s got great tools.
JH: I personally would love if the Bulls chose Mikal Bridges. He’s a winner and one of the surest things in this year’s draft. He can shoot the three and defend multiple positions. I feel like he’d be the perfect compliment to the pieces we have now. His skillset is one that will not fail in the NBA.
BB: I would love the Bulls to take Mo Bamba because he is the proven young big man that Chicago desperately needs. It is a long shot that he will fall to the Bulls’ projected sixth overall pick but it is worth monitoring. Wendell Carter Jr. is another NBA-ready player the Bulls could possibly target to fill the center position.