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Chicago Bulls: Ja Morant vs. Zion Williamson NBA Draft battle

By Andrew Miller

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA - MARCH 22: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils reacts after scoring a basket and drawing a foul against the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBIA, SC – MARCH 22: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball against Vinnie Shahid #0 of the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC – MARCH 22: Zion Williamson #1 of the Duke Blue Devils moves the ball against Vinnie Shahid #0 of the North Dakota State Bison in the second half during the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

Case for Zion Williamson

Most teams shooting for the “ultimate prize” in the 2019 NBA Draft, likely including the Chicago Bulls, would like to get Williamson out of Duke. Williamson and the Blue Devils are still making a run through the NCAA Tournament after dispatching of the North Dakota State Bison in dominating fashion in the Round of 64.

Yet, Williamson couldn’t do much more to improve his draft stock from here on out. He already slots in the minds of some as a “once in a generation” talent that could compare with the likes of Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James. That is a bit of a jump for now, but Williamson is clearly a talent that is hard to pass up on no matter who gets the first overall selection.

If you thought that Morant had an impressive player efficiency rating at the college hoops ranks, then look twice at what Zion brings to the table. Zion has one of the nation’s best player efficiency ratings this season, at 41.9. He was named the ACC Player of the Year while averaging 22.2 points per game, 8.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks.

The numbers Zion posted so far this season are comparable to what LeBron likely would’ve posted if he even played at the college level instead of jumping straight to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But, the Bulls are a bit stocked at power forward right now thanks to second-year big man Lauri Markkanen. That could create a logjam in the Windy City at the four.

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