2020 NBA Draft Prospect: Chicago Bulls Should Go All-In on LaMelo Ball
Fit with the Bulls and the 2020-21 roster
When Karnisovas took over in Chicago as executive vice president of basketball operations his first decision was to fire general manager Gar Forman. He moved John Paxson into an advisory role after previously being in Karnisovas’ role before being demoted to scouting then Karnisovas hired Eversley as general manager filling Forman’s absence.
Next on the agenda is Jim Boylen’s future and the NBA Draft in whichever order they deem necessary. The Bulls have found success through the draft hitting in five-straight with franchise talent that has stuck around willingly.
The team continues to build around the 2017 trade that sent Jimmy Butler to Minnesota for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn, and the No. 7 pick that turned out to be Lauri Markkanen. In 2018, Chicago selected Wendell Carter Jr. and Chandler Hutchinson which were terrific picks and the same can be said in 2019 with Coby White and Daniel Gafford.
Throw in the offseason addition over the past few years of Otto Porter Jr., Tomas Satoransky, and Thaddeus Young, and you have a solid core unit that should be contending in the East. Add a player like LaMelo Ball and you have serious scoring potential. Yes, the Bulls drafted Coby White last year — No, this pick doesn’t affect him.
Chicago needs more guard help. LaVine and White started blossoming together post-All-Star break when the two combined for 54.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 7.8 assists over a five-game stretch before LaVine sat with a quad injury. White didn’t start his first game until March 10 and the coronavirus ended all league-play the very next day.
Add Ball to the guard mix is a trio that has no ceiling. Ball could grow into his body and easily become a 6-foot-10 200-210-pound sharp-shooter that can play the point guard or small forward position. Imagine the scoring possibilities and three-point attempts between Ball, LaVine, and White. Chicago attempted the 9th-most three-point attempts in the league (35.1) but hit on a below-average mark of 34.8% (24th) and 12.2 three-pointers made per game (14th).