2. Jules Bernard (UCLA)
The Bruins have two potential lottery picks in Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez. The third man in their “Big 3” is their 3-and-D swingman, Jules Bernard.
Bernard is the Bruins’ top defender on a top-15 defensive team. He’s long, standing at 6-foot-7, with the ability to guard one through three on the defensive end. He’s also taken on ball-handling responsibilities this season, running the Bruins offense when their point guards goes out.
Bernard’s value doesn’t always show up on the stat sheet. He gets a ton of deflections and pressures opposing guards, forcing a good chunk of the Bruins’ eight steals per game. On the offensive end, he’s a lefty with a high-arching jump shot, is solid on catch-and-shoot threes, and lethal on pull-up shots.
With the Bulls, he would be the perfect complement next to White and Caruso off the bench. Caruso and Bernard would give opposing guards fits on the defensive end, while Bernard’s shooting would force teams to play the bench unit’s pick and roll honestly.
Currently, Bernard is projected to go in the second round or undrafted. Out of each player on this list, Bernard has the highest ceiling, making him a potential steal if he plays his way into the first round with an impressive March.