It’s time to get way too optimistic and start hyping up anybody and everybody that the Chicago Bulls might take in this year’s draft. First up: Trae Young.
The Chicago Bulls’ fan base has been abuzz these past few months, namely for one reason: the NBA draft.
After tanking for the first time in a very long time, the Bulls secured themselves the seventh pick in the upcoming draft. Despite already having a promising core and nailing last year’s pick, skepticism still lingers.
Gauging the online community’s feelings on the draft, there is an overwhelming support for drafting either Michael Porter Jr. or Mohamed Bamba.
And while the two players look to be potential studs at the next level, the simple fact remains: the Bulls might not get them. Both Bamba and Porter could easily get snagged before Chicago can get to them. Or, in a scenario that would elicit a raucous outcry from fans (an outrage that surely wouldn’t age poorly), the Bulls could pass on one or both prospects.
So it is worthwhile to at least explore the other options. And it seems only fair that these prospects get the same positive treatment as Porter, who has already been dubbed the only superstar outside of the top two, and Bamba, who Bulls fans are touting as the next Rudy Gobert.
Fair warning: this piece is centered on the unbridled optimism that whoever the Bulls pick will be the right pick. These aren’t realistic projections of players’ floors or ceilings, but rather best-case scenarios.
Trae Young
After a historic start to this past NCAA basketball season, the ESPN hype train made Trae Young its lead engine. To say Young’s exposure became oversaturated would be an understatement.
The backlash to the hype only got worse as the scout tape on Young grew and opposing teams started intensively game planning around him and the Oklahoma Sooners. His shooting percentages plummeted while his turnovers skyrocketed, and the hate grew.
But, make no mistake: the attention Young got to start the season was absolutely warranted. He was a relatively unheralded freshman, putting up ridiculous scoring and assist numbers while bombing teams from everywhere on the court. While his end to the season was a floundering, worrying finish, the talent and flashes of greatness were definitely still there.
There is a perception surrounding Young that he is the ultimate ‘boom or bust’ prospect. And, yes, if Young somehow manages to find himself picked in the top three or four (he won’t), then he begins to enter that territory.
But at number seven, Young is the perfect risk to take.
Optimistic Floor
First off: the Jimmer Fredette comparisons are lazy.
Fredette was a 22-year-old sharpshooter with a slow release and an irrationally egotistical attitude. He was a willing passer, but never possessed anywhere near the playmaking ability of Young, who will have just turned 20 when the NBA season starts.
Young’s floor is more likely to be that of an explosive sixth-man. Somebody who, at their peak, is more than good enough to start on most teams, but comes off the bench to provide an unmatchable scoring punch, ala Eric Gordon the past two years.
He can be the perfect ball-handler when the starters come off the floor, more than good enough to pick apart opposing benches. Guarding bench players will help mitigate Young’s defensive deficiencies, and coach Fred Hoiberg will have more flexibility in the defensive personnel he can surround Young with.
Bringing him off the bench is also the perfect response to those questioning his fit next to the ball-dominant Kris Dunn and the defensive sieve, Zach LaVine. And that’s not even mentioning Young’s potential to become an off-ball, catch-and-shoot maestro within a Hoiball offensive scheme.
Optimistic Ceiling
Young was famously doubled on 43.7% of his touches past half-court, with opposing teams unfazed by the impact of his teammates. But in the NBA, Young won’t receive nearly the same attention, especially to start his career.
The doubles will come much less frequently, and Young will be able to punish them with his superior passing when they do. With more room to work, and with more options on the floor, Young’s game will truly come to fruition. The valid concerns about his size and athleticism will wither away once his undeniable skill translates to the next level.
Gravity is an overused, misunderstood term at this point, but it’s hard not to bring it up when projecting Young’s ceiling. As the court opens up to him, Young’s three-ball will become the cornerstone of a high scoring game predicated on taking and making tough shots.
His draw on the break will allow him to have his pick of passing options, and he can instantly transform any team into a feared run-and-gun team.
Next: Should the Bulls trade up and draft Luka Doncic?
As for his fit, you don’t worry about how a fully fledged Trae Young fits into your rebuilding team’s roster – you make room for him. Whether that means Dunn has to become a better cutter with lower usage, LaVine has to develop his game in a different direction, or somebody has to get moved – you make it work.