What if the Chicago Bulls kept their own first-round picks?

Chicago Bulls (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
Chicago Bulls (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
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(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

1. Backcourt

Point Guard – Derrick Rose (Drafted No. 1 Overall – 2008)

Derrick Rose captivated the NBA world on his way to winning Rookie of the Year and earning a spot on the All-Rookie team in 2009. He seemed destined for all-time status when he became the youngest MVP in NBA history. What actually followed was several years of injuries and disappointment.

Rose was traded to the New York Knicks in 2016. He signed with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017 then was traded to the Utah Jazz in 2018 who waived him soon after. Then he signed with the Minnesota Timberwolves after that and re-signed with them last year when he enjoyed somewhat of a resurgence.

D-Rose, now a member of the Detroit Pistons, is unequivocally the greatest draft pick in this current regime’s tenure. One can question how much credit they deserve for landing the number one overall pick. But they did display the wherewithal not to buy the hype on Michael Beasley.

Backup – Coby White (Drafted 7th Overall – 2019)

Coby White is similar to Rose in that he is a point guard that fell into the point guard-needy Bulls lap. That is about all they have in common. Rose was touted for his explosiveness and ability to attack the basket. White is a smoother player that will win with finesse and shooting. He doesn’t have the hype Rose did but Bulls fans certainly hope for similar (and expanded) success.