5 times the Chicago Bulls missed on a superstar in the NBA Draft

Another draft pick on the list that is worth noting as a rising superstar that a number of teams missed out on, but that you can’t really blame the Bulls for missing on specifically is the Toronto Raptors power forward Pascal Siakam. With the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft, the Raptors front office made yet another brilliant move to select Siakam.

This 6-foot-9 and 230 pound is a product of the New Mexico State Aggies basketball program and a native of Douala, Cameroon. He was picked behind the likes of Dragan Bender, Kris Dunn, Marquese Chriss, and Thon Maker, and those were just among the top 10 draftees. The Bulls individually picked former Michigan State Spartans shooting guard Denzel Valentine over Siakam.

The Bulls had the 14th overall pick (the last selection in the lottery) in the 2016 NBA Draft. And it was about the least productive first round draft pick they’ve had in the last five years. Valentine finally spent some portion season healthy, but sat on the end of the bench for much of it.

Meanwhile, Siakam already has a Most Improved Player of the Year award, one NBA All-Star selection, and one NBA Championship. He was likely the second most important player to the Raptors title efforts last year behind forward Kawhi Leonard.

The only player from this draft class thus far that has more win shares than Siakam is the former LSU Tigers point guard and Sixers All-Star Ben Simmons. Both do have more than 20 win shares already, though.