Bulls 2014 Draft picks
First Round
#16 (Acquired via Tyrus Thomas Trade)
# 19
Second Round
#49
The Bulls were sitting in a decent position, they had two picks in the middle of the first round. The Bulls had holes to fill as Kirk Hinrich was a free agent and they were actively shopping Carlos Boozer.
Draft Day Trade
The Chicago Bulls decided to move up in the draft and traded both their first round picks and a 2015 2nd prick to the Denver Nuggets for the #11 overall pick in the draft and former 2008 first round pick Anthony Randolph.
The Selections
First Round - 11th Pick - Doug McDermott from Creighton
Second Round - 49th Pick - Cameron Bairstow form
Why They Made This Pick
The Bulls had an elite defense and they came into the 2013-14 season as legit title contenders. The Vegas oddsmakers had Chicago as the 3rd best chance to win an NBA title behind Cleveland and Oklahoma City. They were projected to win 57.5 games. However, the same song played out. D-Rose could not stay healthy and after slow start the Bulls traded Deng.
They had a top-rated defense in 2013-14, but one of the worst offenses. They lacked floor spacers as the NBA was shifting to the 3-point era that was caused by the Golden State dynasty. The Bulls had a need for a wing shooter that could step-in and play immediately and McDermott fit that bill.
The Bulls decided to move up five spots in the draft and trade both of their first round selections to select the National Player of the Year in Doug McDermott from Creighton. A 6-foot-6 Wing that shot 46 percent from beyond the arc in college. GarPax hoped they filled that need for the team. However, in Coach Thibs fashion, he was hellbent on making every rookie prove his worth, a formula that idd not mix well for the defensive-challenged McDermott or the franchise.defensive end.
Sidenote
The Austrialian big man, Cameron Bairstow, who was selected in the second round pick would be a footnote. He would play 36 games in two years before moving overseas to continue his career.
What kinds of reactions did the Bulls get to their controversial choice?