2019 NBA Draft: Chicago Bulls trading down wise?

CHICAGO - MAY 15: NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum awards the Chicago Bulls the number seven pick in the 2018 NBA Draft during the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery at the Palmer House Hotel on May 15, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO - MAY 15: NBA Deputy Commissioner, Mark Tatum awards the Chicago Bulls the number seven pick in the 2018 NBA Draft during the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery at the Palmer House Hotel on May 15, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)

Conclusion

There’s some talent available late in the draft; It’s just up to the scouting department to identify the players and the front office to have picks to get the opportunity to draft them.

A team that may want to trade up are the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks may want to move up and they have the 2nd round ammunition to move up one spot, potentially, with the Chicago Bulls.

Getting a high-second round pick is a good value decision for the Bulls if the Hawks elect to move up the one spot. If Atlanta keeps their pick from Dallas and happens to want R.J., Chicago can swap picks with them and acquire a second round pick.

If It’s one thing GarPax is good at, it’s at identifying talent. They’ve had some misses, but every front office does. Acquiring an extra pick to get another shot at a rotation player is better than taking a player who lacks cohesion with the core.

A bench consisting of Shaquille Harrison, Antonio Blakeney, and Cristiano Felicio is not the bench of a playoff contending team. Complementing the core of LaVine/WCJ/Lauri with some talent is the next step in the rebuild for the Chicago Bulls.