Chicago Bulls: 3 Studs selected after Lauri Markkanen in the 2017 NBA Draft

Chicago Bulls: Studs they regret passing on for Lauri Markkanen: Bam Adebayo

The Miami Heat followed the Utah Jazz with a steal of their own in the 2017 NBA Draft. After Mitchell went 13th overall the Heat selected a versatile defender out of Kentucky by the name of Bam Adebayo.

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So far, so good. That’s obviously an understatement as Adebayo has rapidly developed in the great situation he was drafted to and because of that has already made an NBA Finals appearance in his short NBA career.

Unlike Mitchell and Markkanen, Bam didn’t get much run in his first NBA season. Even in year two, he got limited experience in terms of minutes. Year three was time for his breakout, though.

Not only did he make the all-star team that season, but he also made the NBA’s All-Defensive second team. Further, he played a key role alongside former Chicago Bull Jimmy Butler in leading the Heat all the way to the NBA Finals.

In the bubble that season he played a major role, specifically against the Milwaukee Bucks, which was a major upset. Adebayo dominated that’s series on both ends of the floor and is only getting better at such a young age.

He is the elite-level defender the Bulls would die for right now and they could have had him just a few years back. While the Heat staff and front office deserve a lot of credit for helping him develop and take steps early in his career, it’s hard to see how he would not have become a good player with his immense skill set.