Chicago Bulls: 3 Studs selected after Lauri Markkanen in the 2017 NBA Draft
Chicago Bulls: Studs they regret passing on for Lauri Markkanen: Donovan Mitchell
Passing on Anunoby is something the Bulls likely wish they could do over, but the next two are decisions they certainly regret just four years later. First, Donovan Mitchell of the Utah Jazz.
An important note, first. Mitchell and the number one player on this list weren’t passed on by only the Chicago Bulls. In fact, five players were selected before Mitchell went to the Jazz, which was followed directly by the next player to be discussed.
The Bulls have LaVine and it’s hard to confidently say how he and Mitchell would fit at all, but talent is talent and teams can’t have enough of it. Regardless of how it would have worked or played out, having a player that made two all-star teams in his first four NBA seasons would have been much more fruitful than having Markkanen.
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Mitchell may have fallen in the draft due to the common mistake NBA teams continuously make, undervaluing a player that played more than one season of college basketball. Potential is easy to fall in love with and that could have played some role in his drop.
It doesn’t make it acceptable. Mitchell came into the NBA and made a statement from day one. He averaged 20.5 points per game his rookie season and has increased that number in every single season since. After four NBA regular seasons, his career average stands at 23.4 points per game.
Mitchell is still on the rise, proven by his increased numbers across the board. He is also winning a lot of games as his career rolls on with the Utah Jazz. He is a franchise-changing player and we are still a few years from seeing him at his absolute best.
Markkanen will have a hard time peaking where Mitchell is already and for that reason, the Bulls will always wonder what could have been from the 2017 NBA Draft.