The 2019 NBA Draft is likely going to be one of the wildest drafts in recent memory. Here are my final predictions for who the Chicago Bulls will select.
The top three picks in the 2019 NBA Draft are all but guaranteed to be Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett – in that order. After that, though, everything’s up in the air.
The New Orleans Pelicans could trade the No. 4 pick to a number of teams looking to move up, or they could use that pick to draft a player they want to add to their new young core. If they end up trading the pick, though, that could change the entire landscape of the 2019 NBA Draft.
It’s tough to nail down predictions when there’s so much potential for movement (both up and down) in the draft, but let’s give it a try. Here are my final predictions for who the Chicago Bulls will select in the 2019 NBA Draft.
No. 7 pick – Jarrett Culver
I’m still holding out hope for one of the premier point guards in the draft to fall to the Bulls. Whether it’s Darius Garland or Coby White doesn’t matter a whole lot to me at this point – I just really want one of them. But if I’m making a prediction, I can’t see one of those two guys falling to No. 7.
Jarrett Culver is starting to look like the best guy that will be available for Chicago.
I wouldn’t be upset if the Bulls land Culver. He’s a defensive juggernaut, a really good passer and a capable scorer. I would rather have him over other guys that might be available at No. 7 like Cam Reddish or Sekou Doumbouya.
I’m guessing Darius Garland is drafted with the fourth pick no matter who ends up holding that pick. Then, I’m guessing De’Andre Hunter is selected by the Cavs and Coby White is selected by the Suns. If that ends up being the case, I can’t imagine the Bulls letting Culver slide past them.
No. 38 pick – Jalen Lecque
It’s dang near impossible to predict who will go where in the second round of the NBA Draft, but my best bet for who the Bulls will wind up with is Jalen Lecque.
If my first-round prediction holds true, the Bulls will still be looking for depth at the point guard position in the draft. The best PG available at pick No. 38 will likely be Lecque.
Lecque is a high-upside youngster with jaw-dropping athleticism. He’s unpolished, but sometimes you have to take a risk on a guy with a high ceiling in the second round. Lecque probably won’t be ready for serious NBA minutes for a couple of years, but he’s worth picking up. If he’s available when the Bulls are on the clock at No. 38, I bet they take him.
Obviously, a lot could change by the time the Bulls have to make their draft selections, but if things play out the way I’m guessing they will, the Bulls will end up with Jarrett Culver and Jalen Lecque. I wouldn’t be super excited about those two guys, but it definitely could be a lot worse.