Can the Chicago Bulls actually make the right draft picks?
In just two weeks, the Chicago Bulls will be selecting two first round draft picks. Bulls fans are wondering if they can make the right picks.
The Chicago Bulls spent much of last season “evaluating” their roster, which is really code for tanking. They almost let Nikola Mirotic mess up the tank job, when he finally decided to be the player the Bulls always thought he would be. Now, they sit on two first round picks, their prize for losing and trading away the almost tank ruining Mirotic. What we are all wondering now is, are the Bulls going to get these picks right? Or, will they fall in love with the wrong players (again)?
The 7th pick represents an opportunity to give the rebuild a jump start. The Bulls could add a defensive anchor like Mo Bamba or a playmaker like Trae Young. With a lineup already featuring all-rookie Lauri Markkanen, the future could be bright. Their second pick, 22nd overall, could add real depth to the rotation. While not as sexy of a pick, the Bulls could add a scoring wing off the bench with this pick. Both selections are incredibly important if the Bulls hope to have any future success.
Successful organizations build through the draft.
While most fans view the Golden State Warriors as a super team due to Kevin Durant, their roster was constructed through the draft. Most notably, Stephen Curry was drafted with the 7th pick in 2009 and Klay Thompson 11th overall in 2011. Don’t forget that they also drafted Draymond Green in the second round in 2012, when Tom Thibodeau was begging the Bulls brass to draft him at 29th overall. The point is, instead of dreaming of signing of big name free agents, it’s important to focus on scouting first. The question is, are the Bulls willing to put money into scouting purposes?
Like most average teams, the Bulls have had mixed results with the draft process. They hit the lottery jackpot, or so we thought, in 2008 and drafted Derrick Rose. Of course, looking back on that draft now, maybe they would have been better off with Russell Westbrook or Kevin Love. They’ve had successful picks with Luol Deng, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and of course Markkanen last year. However, the Bulls have also had some pretty bad picks. Remember when they could have had Draymond Green? Instead, the Bulls picked Marquis Teague. How’d that one turn out? Drafting Doug McDermott wasn’t terrible, but trading two 1st round picks certainly was. To top it all off, the Bulls helped the Warriors of all teams last year, when they SOLD Jordan Bell for “cash considerations”. So yes, the question is valid, can the Bulls actually do this right this year?
GarPax cannot mess up this pick.
It’s fine if John Paxson and Gar Forman want to talk about adding players who fit the system. I have no problem with the “younger and more athletic” rhetoric they’ve tossed around for years. However, they actually have to add younger and more athletic players who fit Fred Hoiberg’s system. The Bulls could add a play maker, someone who can feed Markkanen the ball more than a handful of times per game. Bamba could make up for Zach LaVine‘s lack of defensive awareness. They need shooters, lots of them. GarPax should be looking at wings like Mikal Bridges who can defend the perimeter.
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If they want younger and athletic players, GarPax might be salivating at Miles Bridges. In short, they have so many holes and with two 1st round picks, they have an opportunity to fill them. This isn’t the time to go for DeAndre Jordan in free agency. LeBron James and Chris Paul aren’t coming to Chicago to form another superteam. The Bulls path to building a contender is not through free agency. If they get this right, then free agents might consider them an attractive destination next year. Bulls fans have a right to be critical of the Bulls front office, I’m not sure there is a front office in the league wearing a bigger target for disdain. This year, the Chicago Bulls simply must make the right selections. It’s that simple.