The 2011 NBA Draft was a big win for the Chicago Bulls. This was one of their best drafts in recent memory, and both players they selected were contributing in the NBA through the end of last season. One of them is still contributing in the NBA as a big time star with the Heat.
But the first of the two first round picks for the Bulls in the 2011 NBA Draft is currently playing overseas after a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks last season. Power forward Nikola Mirotic saw the door from the Windy City last year, but he was still a solid pick at No. 23 overall. The only replacement for another player from overseas that was severely underdrafted is the former Indiana Pacers standout wing Bojan Bogdanovic.
Who the Bulls should’ve drafted: Bojan Bogdanovic
The other former first round pick of the Bulls from the 2011 NBA Draft is a star that the Heat just gave a max contract too. Star small forward Jimmy Butler contributed at a high level for the Bulls, but GarPax didn’t feel that he was the best long term solution for this franchise. That’s why he was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves back in 2017.
Still, there shouldn’t be anything that anyone would change about this Bulls pick. “Jimmy Buckets” was a fantastic small forward for this team for a long time, and brought some fond memories to the Windy City. He was nothing short of a steal for the Bulls with the final pick in the first round of the 2011 draft.