Chicago Bulls: Tyrese Haliburton is a Bull’s Eye Draft Target for Chicago

A lot is changing for the Chicago Bulls with a new front office. A guard out of the Big 12 could point them in the right direction.

At some point, the Chicago Bulls going to take an honest look at the roster. New vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley come from perennial playoff contenders. And while both have made at least a little noise in free agency over their respective tenures, neither the Denver Nuggets nor Philadelphia 76ers “went for it” before solidifying their core.

That puts the Bulls in a very interesting position. Theoretically, they have their young core in place. Youngsters Coby White and Wendell Carter on the come behind veteran Zach LaVine. Then there’s the enigmatic Lauri Markkanen. His projections are still the biggest mystery.

Chicago has a couple of players who project as solid contributors. But Chandler Hutchison and Denzel Valentine have failed to emulate Kris Dunn and endear themselves for one reason or another. They have both been outshined at times by players like rookie big man Daniel Gafford and even an out-of-nowhere guy like Adam Mokoka.

Needless to say, the Bulls have some holes that need fixing before they should consider themselves ready for playoff contention.  The best way to improve will always be through the draft. Who should they be targeting? Point guard Tyrese Haliburton of  Iowa State.

How you feel about White long-term will weigh heavily on if you think this is a good move or not. The latter sentiment makes sense. White was drafted seventh overall last year out of North Carolina as a point guard, after all. But even leading up to the draft, there were questions about his fit in the Association.

White’s scoring prowess was clear. And maybe it was just the coaches keeping it simple. But his playmaking left much to be desired. He already averaged a minute 4.1 assists per game in college, good for a 24.4 assist percentage. That number fell to 2.7 (16.5 assist percentage) as a rookie. Again, that could have been due to a myriad of reasons. But it’s worth noting.

Haliburton would be a perfect fit for what the Bulls lack. Chicago’s passing woes go beyond White; they ranked 23rd in assists. Haliburton’s 6.5 APG led the Big 12, was good for top-10 in the NCAA, and would have led the Bulls by a full assist. His 35.3 AST% would have tied him with Devonte’ Graham for 10th in the NBA.

Haliburton has the tools to be a better point guard than White right away. And he isn’t a one-trick pony either. He shot better than 50 percent from the floor and 41 percent from deep. There are even hints of some nice two-way potential with him averaging 2.5 steals. A fractured wrist cut his season early. But that could ultimately be to the Bulls benefit.

Karnisovas’ Nuggets and Eversley’s 76ers both ranked in the top-six in assists this season. Short of landing LaMelo Ball, there isn’t a better fit than Haliburton in the draft.

The international players have their warts. Deni Avdija shot 27percent from deep and 55 percent at the line while Killian Hayes turned the ball over at a 24.7 percent clip. If the Bulls find themselves staring at Anthony Edwards or James Wiseman, then all bets are off. But Haliburton looks like a player that could make this roster hum.

Chicago was heavy on three-guard lineups this season, largely out of necessity. That means with or without any trades involving LaVine, Haliburton would be a good fit. And while calls for Isaac Okoro or even Devin Vassell might ring out for wing depth, the Bulls should be willing to give Valentine and Hutchison a shot with the new regime.

Haliburton might not be the first name that pops into fans’ minds, but there are few players in this draft that make more sense for the Bulls. His 15.2/6.5/5.9 line would have been bested by just six players in the NBA. No, that isn’t definitive. But it is promising.