When the Chicago Bulls committed to a roster tear-down at this past trade deadline, the tentative hope was that an organizational reset would yield tangible results in the short-term.
Although there are certain organizations that are accustomed to drawn-out, long-term rebuilding plans, it's been far too long for the Bulls to have been removed from postseason success. A reset of some sort was necessary, but this isn't a fanbase that would tolerate multiple years in the basement of the NBA.
It was always going to take a bit of luck, however, and the Bulls got it in the NBA Draft Lottery on Sunday, jumping from the ninth overall selection up to the fourth. This is a Draft where that sort of pick could quite possibly yield a generational talent.
It's not only massive news for the organization, but it's a sign of hope for a fanbase that has long been forced to settle for mediocrity.
Bulls' NBA Draft Lottery leap could land them a generational talent to add to their budding young core
Even if the Bulls had sat put at ninth overall, this offseason would've had a promising outlook. They're also in possession of the 15th overall pick, which they received in their trade with the Portland Trail Blazers last year, and they are projected to have the most cap space in the league at the start of free agency.
Whether they want to attempt to add talent and begin building out their roster or take on unwanted contracts in exchange for veteran draft capital, they have a number of options at their disposal.
The fourth overall pick, however, adds an entirely new wrinkle to that outlook.
This Draft has a clearly defined top-three, headlined by Cam Boozer, Darryn Peterson, and AJ Dybantsa. But during the college basketball season, Caleb Wilson's performance at North Carolina put him, at the very least, in conversation with those three prospects. Wilson's combination of size, defense, and scoring acumen could make him a highly attractive piece to new lead executive Bryson Graham.
There's also the chance that Wilson jumps into top three selections, which will be made by the Washington Wizards, the Utah Jazz, and the Memphis Grizzlies, essentially dropping one of the Draft's consensus top-three prospects into the Bulls' laps.
One would imagine they'll shy away from Boozer, having already found their power forward of the future in Buzelis. But the point is that, no matter what, the NBA Draft Lottery has just handed Chicago an immediate way to jumpstart their rebuilding efforts.
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