As the Chicago Bulls prepare to enter the 2022 NBA Draft armed with the No. 18 overall selection, they’ll have to face an unfamiliar reality without a top pick at their disposal. In fact, this will be the lowest first-round pick the franchise has made with their own selection since 2015 when the Bulls selected Bobby Portis 22nd overall.
Considering Chicago doesn’t own a second-round draft pick this year and won’t have any picks next summer (unless Portland manages to make the playoffs), this is a crucial time for the front office to make a home run selection.
The Bulls just might have the perfect man for the job, however, as Arturas Karnisovas has already built an impressive track record by playing a crucial role in drafting Nikola Jokic (No. 41 overall) and Monte Morris (No. 51 overall) in Denver before also going on to pick up Ayo Dosunmu (No. 38 overall) in Chicago.
While nobody is truly capable of reading Karnisovas’ mind — as proven by the Patrick Williams selection that seemingly came out of left field — many analysts and experts have tried to get an accurate gauge on how the Bulls intend to spend their draft pick. Be warned: the results may vary.
Here’s a look at the top prospects that many believe will be at the top of the Chicago Bulls’ wish list in the 2022 NBA Draft.
ESPN – Jeremy Sochan, Baylor
Of all the projected picks the Bulls may make in these mock drafts, Jeremy Sochan might be my personal favorite. Although, for that reason, I also believe it’s probably the most unlikely to actually happen.
Sochan’s box score stats won’t pop off the page at you, as he averaged just 9.2 points and 6.4 rebounds in 25 minutes per game as a freshman. However, those numbers wouldn’t tell the whole story, as Sochan displays a high basketball IQ and the consistent ability to put himself in the correct position to make big plays. Sochan is a great defensive talent that would slot in nicely on a Bulls team that loves to create turnovers and get out in transition.
Due to his style of play, Sochan has drawn comparisons to being a Draymond-lite, a type of player who is extremely valuable in today’s NBA. Chicago has even witnessed (firsthand) the massive impact these types of elite role players can make with Alex Caruso’s stellar play this season.
Unfortunately, I believe this will make Sochan too desirable of a prospect and he will likely be off the board well before Chicago’s No. 18 selection rolls around.