The busiest week of the NBA Draft scouting process has arrived, with workouts and interviews headlining how various team’s big boards could be shaking out. And knowing that the Chicago Bulls now only have the 38th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft, this process of interviews and workouts with various prospects in this class really could provide clarity as to who some of the top prospects are.
What makes this week so busy for front offices and scouting departments is the 2021 NBA Draft Combine, which is taking place in Chicago. Basketball fans in the Windy City really can’t get away from the draft headlines this week between the lottery, interviews, workouts, and the combine.
And some of the bigger interviews and workouts that the Bulls are conducting this week involve prospects that they likely won’t have a chance to draft by their pick in the second round. One of those lottery-caliber prospects that the Bulls reportedly interviewed this week was the Florida State Seminoles star forward Scottie Barnes.
Chicago Bulls interviewing another FSU ACC Sixth Man of the Year in Scottie Barnes
Florida State’s Scottie Barnes names Detroit, Boston, Chicago, Orlando and Toronto as teams he has interviewed with.
— David Morrow (@_DavidMorrow) June 24, 2021
Barnes has reportedly interviewed with the Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors. And more teams are likely to interview him in the coming days and weeks since he is such a touted potential lottery pick.
Tankathon’s latest big board for this draft class ranks Barnes as the No. 7 prospect. That likely means that the Bulls would have to give up a lot to trade into the lottery to draft Barnes. But it’s still good that the organization is doing its due diligence.
It is obviously a familiar process for the Bulls front office to interview a highly touted and potent former Florida State forward. Last year, the Bulls selected the former Florida State freshman forward Patrick Williams fourth overall in the first round of the draft.
Barnes had an up and down freshman campaign with Florida State, but it ended on a high note. He wound up getting the ACC Sixth Man of the Year honors, ACC Newcomer of the Year, and All-ACC Team honors last season.
The 2021 NBA Draft is set to take place on July 29. And the Bulls will continue to work through the draft scouting process until that time arrives. With the draft lottery now in the rearview mirror, the focus can remain on this second-round draft pick and the plan for free agency.