You can’t rule out anything when it comes to the Chicago Bulls and the 2024 NBA Draft.
They own the 11th pick in the draft and could just use it to take the best player available, as the Bulls do need an influx of high-end young talent. And in this wide-open draft, the Bulls could end up having the best player fall into their laps outside of the top 10.
The Bulls could also reach for fit and need by choosing a player who is ready to help them now, a strategy I expect them to employ if they run it back with most of the same roster.
There is also a possibility that the Bulls trade up, back or even out of the draft if the right offer presents itself.
There was speculation in a recent report that Chicago may be looking to change the course of the franchise by moving up in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Chicago Bulls draft: Hometown prospect may be worth moving up to get
In a recent list of his top-100 prospects, Jonathan Givony of ESPN (subscription) speculated that the Bulls could try to trade up to get Matas Buzelis, who grew up in Chicago and has ties to Bulls’ team president Arturas Karnisovas:
"Sources say Buzelis hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, watched him work out privately in Los Angeles early in the pre-draft process. Chicago has shown a willingness to explore moving up in the draft for the right price. The Bulls Lithuanian president, Arturas Karnisovas, has extensive knowledge of Buzelis, who is also Lithuanian. "
Buzelis has high-end athleticism as a 6-foot-10 wing who can make an impact with or without the ball. His long-range shot needs work, but he has all of the tools to be a two-way wing in the NBA.
Buzelis is expected to be drafted in the top 5-6, so the Chicago Bulls would have to trade up with one of those teams to get him. Here are three possible trades that could help Chicago land their dream prospect.