Chicago Bulls: Re-drafting the 2016 NBA Draft three-and-a-half years later

14. Jakob Poltl, Center

Team: Chicago Bulls

Original Draft Slot: 9

The original pick of the Raptors in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft is now one of the better players off the bench for the Spurs, former Utah Utes center Jakob Poltl. The 7-foot-1 and 230 pound Poltl is good on both ends of the floor, but doesn’t really standout in any one particular area. What he would bring for the Chicago Bulls is steadiness of the bench in the frontcourt.

Something the Bulls didn’t have over the course of the last three seasons at the five spot is exactly what Poltl brings to the table. He’s averaging 5.7 points per game, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists, while shooting 59.5 percent from the field and registering a player efficiency rating of 19.2 and 1.2 win shares this season.

Moreover, Poltl also has one of the better block rates in the NBA over the course of the last three seasons. His block rate is sitting at 7.7 percent so far this season. He also has a very stout 4.3 defensive box plus/minus rating and a sparkling 123 offensive rating.

Head coach Jim Boylen would also get an ideal fit for the inside-out basketball scheme that he likes to play on offense at times. Poltl is by no means a good floor spacer or stretch-five, but he can lock down on solid big men if he played in the Central Division. It would be nice for the Bulls to get someone who could consistently matchup with the likes of Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond and the Pacers frontcourt pairing of Myles Turner and Sabonis.

Picking Poltl might be more of a net positive for the Bulls over the course of more than three-and-a-half years than Valentine, at No. 14 in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft.