If the Chicago Bulls take a risk in the draft, who should it be on?
By Pat Hunt
Trae Young
A second option would be the nation’s leading scorer and assist man, Trae Young. He’s a fun guy to watch, bringing electricity and excitement each time he dribbles the ball. He’s gotten pro comparisons to both Steph Curry and Jimmer Fredette. A comparison to Jimmer is enough for him to be considered a risk, but he also has severe problems on defense. His small stature is a sure talking point, but overall he is just a lazy defender. In college, he did not face many players that can expose him with the ease that a NBA point guard would. If he struggles guarding a mid-major guard, how will he guard someone like Chris Paul?
To his credit, Young is doing what he can to simmer the doubts about his size. He has reportedly gained 13 pounds working with Jimmy Butler’s trainer Travelle Gaines:
Trae Young now weighs 183 pounds, up from 170 when he started working with trainer @travellegaines two months ago and 177 at the combine. He was also able to bench 185 pounds fifteen times. When he started his training, he was at six. pic.twitter.com/uUD1z22dLq
— Bryan Kalbrosky (@BryanKalbrosky) May 31, 2018
Dunn’s failure could be Young’s gain
A recent Joe Cowley (Chicago Sun-Times) report says that members of the Bulls front office and coaches have been “less than impressed” with Dunn’s work habits this summer. Considering the report, the idea of Trae Young in a Bulls uniform ought of a sudden isn’t so far-fetched.
"“Dunn was a workout warrior last offseason, but the sources said he has been ‘‘shortcutting’’ his way through May and early June enough that the idea of the Bulls selecting a point guard in the NBA Draft on June 21 is back in play.”"
Could this report just be a leak from within the Bulls to light a fire under Dunn? Maybe so. But to be successful, you must draft the player you believe will most positively impact your team moving forward.
Is Young worth the risk?
He very well may be. With NBC Sports Chicago’s Vincent Goodwill’s recent report of the Chicago Bulls being “enamored” with Young and “high on” Alabama PG Collin Sexton, it is clear the Bulls will be drafting based on projected success, and not necessarily logical fit. If the Bulls believe Trae Young gives them a better chance to win than Dunn, they must select him. Front offices ride or die with these kind of picks.
Next: The Bulls will workout draft prospect Trae Young
Will Gar/Pax take the risk Bulls fans seem to be longing for? It would be smart to do so. Drafting a player with the risk/reward potential of Porter or Young undoubtedly has it’s downfalls. However, if you hit, this rebuild may move along much quicker than anticipated.
If ESPN’s Adrian Wojnorowski’s report of the Chicago Bulls possibly being a “sneaky” player in free agency comes to fruition, the combination of Porter/Young and a perennial all-star would be one of the more intriguing headlines of the 2019 NBA season.