1 Dream, 1 Floor, 1 Realistic player comparison for Bulls new rookies

Bulls’ realistic player comparisons for Julian Phillips and Adama Sanogo

Ironically, the player I suspect Phillips has been drafted to replace is the same player I believe he most resembles on the court. As a physically gifted defender who plays with enough hustle to compensate for his limited offensive game, it’s difficult ignoring the similarities he shares with Derrick Jones Jr.

Although Phillips is elite at getting to the rim and hitting his free throws, he’s actually not all that great at actually finishing through contact and hitting spot-up threes. That’s why I believe his offensive output will closely resemble that of DJJ’s, who averaged just 3.7 shot attempts per game with the Bulls over the last two seasons. Look for Phillips to produce by crashing the boards, forcing stops and turnovers on defense, and hustling down the court in transition to create mismatches.

Julian Phillips’ Realistic Comparison: Derrick Jones Jr.

Ranked 50th in The Ringer’s draft big board and 57th in ESPN’s Top 100, Sanogo is a bit of a steal for the Bulls here as an undrafted free agent. As a player who stepped up when the lights were shining brightest, Sanogo is a proven winner and I find myself agreeing with The Ringer’s own player comparison here, at least on the surface level.

Although the NBA has consistently moved away from ‘traditional’ centers, we’ve seen just how effective this archetype of player can be when used effectively in these past NBA Playoffs. Averaging a ridiculous 15.1 rebounds in a grueling seven-game series against the Kings, Golden State’s Kevon Looney has provided the blueprint for players like Sanogo to carve out his niche even in a three-point centric league. If his three-point shot carries over, however, he could certainly become a high-end role player for years to come.

Adama Sanogo’s Realistic Comparison: Kevon Looney / Bruno Fernando