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

Power Forward – LaMarcus Aldridge (Drafted 2nd Overall – 2007)

If there is a worse draft-day trade than the one the Bulls pulled with LaMarcus Aldridge, condolences to that fanbase. In peak GarPax doing-the-most fashion, they traded the Texas big man for NCAA tournament-darling Tyrus Thomas. Aldridge averages 19.6 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for his career. Thomas, who last played in 2014-15, 7.7 points and 4.8 boards.

Aldridge has averaged 17-plus points and seven-plus rebounds in every season since his rookie year. A rookie year that saw him make the All-Rookie team. He has since been a seven-time All-Star (in the Western Conference) and a five-time All-NBA performer. Phew, dodged a bullet there.

The thought of this trade was the impetus for this exercise. This is what happens when everything is breaking your way and you do too much trying to be the smartest in the room. The Bulls brass fell for the pogo stick athleticism of Thomas over the skill and IQ of Aldridge. That is a mistake they still feel, LMA averages 21/8.7/1.7 versus them.

Backup – Bobby Portis (Drafted 22nd Overall – 2015)

If an athlete wants to endear themselves to the city of Chicago, then they need to give full effort whenever they step onto the floor. That is Bobby Portis in a nutshell. Another late-first round gem, Portis expanded his game beyond that of just an energy guy. He has added the three-pointer to his arsenal the last two seasons, shooting .374 on 3.4 attempts per game.