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Chicago Bulls: Ranking the last 10 first-round picks

By Luke Askew

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Jimmy Butler #21 and Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls react after a made basket against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 14: Jimmy Butler #21 and Doug McDermott #3 of the Chicago Bulls react after a made basket against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 14, 2016 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Bulls defeated the 76ers 115-111. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
(Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

5. Bobby Portis

  • Draft year: 2015
  • Pick: 22

Remember when Bobby Portis punched his teammate, Nikola Mirotic, in the face? That doesn’t really have anything to do with his ranking here. I just wanted to take this opportunity to bring it up.

Anyway, back to on-the-court stuff.

Bobby Portis is a weird basketball player. There are games where he looks like he could be one of the best power forwards in the league, and then there are games where he looks like he barely belongs in the NBA.

He was always stuck behind someone on the depth chart in Chicago before getting traded to Washington for roughly half a season. Then, last summer, he was one of approximately 487 power forwards to sign with the New York Knicks. As you can imagine, he didn’t really have a thrilling season in NY.

It’s up to the Knicks whether or not they want to keep Portis for another season. There’s a team option on his contract for the 2020-2021 season. If they let Portis go, I still have hope that he can work his way into being a starting forward in the league.

The skill is there. The intensity is most definitely there. He just needs to be in the right situation.

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