Chicago Bulls: Re-drafting past five first round selections

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Denzel Valentine speaks with press after being selected fortieth overall by the during the 2016 NBA Draft on June 23, 2016 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Amanda Westcott /NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 23: Denzel Valentine speaks with press after being selected fortieth overall by the during the 2016 NBA Draft on June 23, 2016 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Amanda Westcott /NBAE via Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 25: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on January 25, 2019 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JANUARY 25: Bobby Portis #5 of the Chicago Bulls looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on January 25, 2019 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Now, we finally arrive at a spot where the Chicago Bulls retained one of the first round selections in the NBA. As part of the 2015 NBA Draft, the Bulls tried to boost the frontcourt by taking a flier out on the physical former Arkansas Razorbacks power forward Bobby Portis. This worked out well for the Bulls for a while until Portis was dished out at the deadline this year.

On March 20, and for the second time since the deadline, we’ll get to see Portis suit up for his new team to compete against the Bulls. The Bulls originally shipped him and fellow forward Jabari Parker out in exchange for the sharpshooting wing Otto Porter Jr. from the Washington Wizards.

Portis made it quite clear just after the deadline that he wanted to stay in the Windy City for the long haul and was very surprised by his trade to the Wizards. He is playing well for the Wizards now, but the deal seemed to benefit both sides. Porter Jr. is averaging well over 20.0 points per game since coming to the Windy City.

However, Portis worked out fine for the Bulls while he was with the franchise. There were some better options at No. 22 in the 2015 NBA Draft still available instead of Portis. The two best options seemingly for the Bulls to go with in terms of how they look now would either be power forward Montrezl Harrell or forward/center Larry Nance Jr. Since we’re not trying to compile the lineup year-after-year on this list, we’ll go with Harrell as the one that makes the most sense.

Re-draft at No. 22: Montrezl Harrell