Chicago Bulls: 3 grand prize targets if they win the lottery
1. Anthony Edwards, Shooting Guard
Outside of Ball, the prospect that should have the most realistic star potential at the NBA level in this draft class is the 6-foot-5 former Georgia Bulldogs standout freshman shooting guard Anthony Edwards. At one point, Edwards looked like the set in stone top prospect in this draft class. But his inconsistent performances from his freshman year in college muddied the outlook for him a bit.
If the Bulls do want to take Edwards in this draft, it’s either because they have alternative plans for LaVine over the long haul, or the former Georgia guard fell really far down draft boards. The high usage that both shooting guards command would obviously clash when they’re part of the same lineup.
Much like a few of the other top guard prospects in this draft class, Edwards struggled with his outside shooting. That was a problem since he took so many attempts from beyond the arc during his freshman season in Athens. Edwards averaged 19.1 points per game, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 0.6 blocks.
He also shot 40.2 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 77.2 percent from the free-throw line. The effective field goal percentage for Edwards would have to get better than 47.2 in the NBA, and the true shooting would have to be better than 52.0 percent. But the insanely gifted physical tools, natural scoring ability, and potent court vision of Edwards still makes him a very solid prospect if the Bulls are able to get him.