When the NBA Draft Lottery takes place on Thursday, the Chicago Bulls will be hoping they get the ultimate assist. Will lightning strike twice for them?
Chicago Bulls fans might feel like they are experiencing deja vu. Translated literally, the term means “already seen” so, in a sense, they have. If looking at the odds for Thursday’s draft lottery, one would notice the Bulls are sitting in a very familiar position. They are currently projected for the seventh-overall selection.
If that holds, it would bake three years in a row the Bulls have gotten that pick and, if they keep the pick, the fourth player on the roster drafted in that slot.
For that reason, alone fans have to be hoping and praying (maybe even doing a little voodoo) for a helping hand to jump up into the top three. That’s because, while there is always talent to be unearthed many agree this is a top-heavy class.
Complicating things is there isn’t much consensus as to who exactly those top guys are. For one reason or another, there are no prospects without warts and we could see fit be a bigger factor than normal. Typically, at the top of the draft, teams take the most talented guy over anything else.
Karnisovas said regular season ending today and draft lottery/draft process upcoming were reasons for change getting made now.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 14, 2020
With signs pointing to in-market, voluntary group workouts getting cleared for Sept., that likely is another reason/sheds light on possible timeline.
The prospects most mentioned among the top, in any order, are LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards, and James Wiseman. Sure names like Obi Toppin and Deni Avdija or the rogue Killian Hayes get mentioned but, generally, it’s those three.
All things, being equal, the Bulls need to get into the top three for a shot at either Ball or Wiseman, the two guys at the top that check the most ‘need’ boxes while not sacrificing talent.
Ball’s preternatural vision and playmaking ability are second to none in this draft. Many might be turned off by his paltry slash numbers and level of competition, but the needn’t be. He was the alpha and omega for the Illawarra Warhawks in Australia and still showed out. We know he is spotlight ready just based on his last name, but we know he can handle the pressure of an organization now too.
Wiseman would give the Bulls a stud in the middle they haven’t had since, well, ever. He is the modern NBA big; mobile and athletic enough with the touch to step outside on offense but still a good to great rim protector. His leaving Memphis under less than optimal circumstances is a story, but not the character flaw many will make it out to be.
Both prospects would bring the star power that, let’s be real, the Bulls are missing right now.
That’s isn’t a knock on Zach LaVine or Lauri Markkanen, or even Coby White. Those guys all look like great scorers if health and consistency prevail. But at their peak, that might be all they are.
The need for two-way ability has only grown in recent years and the Bulls top guys don’t possess that ability. Ball’s defense might be questionable but his length (he’s listed at 6-foot-7) at the point guard position creates problems.
Edwards would bring a lot to the table as well, it just takes more effort to see how he necessarily makes the team better. You don’t have that issue with the Ball or Wiseman.
There is a precedent for such a jump by the Bulls. Back in 2008, they had a 1.7 percent chance at the top pick, which some laughably had trouble deciding between being Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. But they got the pick and the rest is history. This time they have a 7.5 percent shot (insert appropriate gif here), so it wouldn’t be nearly the shock as last time.
Karnisovas said regular season ending today and draft lottery/draft process upcoming were reasons for change getting made now.
— K.C. Johnson (@KCJHoop) August 14, 2020
With signs pointing to in-market, voluntary group workouts getting cleared for Sept., that likely is another reason/sheds light on possible timeline.
Bulls fans lucked out once already this offseason, narrowly avoiding another year with Jim Boylen at the helm.
Oddly enough, the NBA has agreed upon some form of mini-camp for the teams not down in Orlando. Fans will remember that new basketball czar Arturas Karnisovas reportedly held off on firing Boylen (who didn’t coach with the right amount of fear) because he was holding out hope there would be such a plan enacted so he could see the coach in action.
Now, the Bulls (and their fans) just need their luck to hold up a little while longer so they can secure one of, if not the top pick in October’s NBA Draft.