Good morning. It’s officially lottery week.
For Bulls fans, that date that has meaning is becoming a familiar refrain. For the fourth consecutive year, the team will draw the first round in the top 14. It will also likely be the fourth consecutive year in the top 10.
Will it be the fourth consecutive year by selecting exactly number 7? There’s an 80.3% chance that the answer is no, even if something on that slot will seem forever pre-ordered.
Wherever the Bulls land, new executive vice president Artūras Karnišovas believes the team will find themselves a contributor, even in a draft that many consider weak.
“I like a lot of players who are in our range,” Karnišovas said at the end of season press conference. “I think we’ve done a lot of work studying. That’s why the excitement comes from studying those players and interviewing them and watching the video. So I think we’ll add a good player to our roster next year.”
So, four days into the virtual championship lottery on August 20, let’s take a look at the interwebs to see who is being mocked by the Bulls.
As a reminder: the Bulls have a 7.5% chance of winning the number 1 pick, a 32% chance of jumping into the top four, and a 19.7% chance of staying at number 7. They also own the second of the Washington Wizards – drum (No. 47 in all) from the Tomáš Satoranský sign last summer.
NBA-ready body. From day one, he'll toggle 1 - 4 on the defensive end, and would fill a glaring need for the Bulls, who've been parched for wing depth the entire rebuild. If the team moves on from Otto Porter Jr. after the final year of his current deal, and Chandler Hutchison's development continues to be stymied by injury, Okoro could represent a long-term solution." data-reactid="30">Okoro has been a popular fake target for the Bulls, and it’s easy to see why. With a height of 6 feet 6 feet (wingspan 6-8 1/2 inches), he is a tough defender on the ball encased in an athletic body and ready for the NBA. From day one, it will go from 1 to 4 on the defensive end and satisfy an obvious need from the Bulls, who have been thirsty for wing depth throughout the entire rebuild. If the team switches from Otto Porter Jr. after the final year of his current deal and Chandler Hutchison’s development continues to be hampered by injury, Okoro could represent a long-term solution.
Jumper needs work (28.6% 3P, 67.2% FT during his freshman year), but his bounce and supreme cutting and finishing – Okoro shot 60.7% on 2 points and 67.8% on the edge at Auburn – they should support it. the offensive end, especially in a complementary role. It is a realistic option if the choice of bulls remains stable in the n range. 7.
The 22-year-old from Cholet (France) averaged 10.1ppg. 4.2 rebounds and four assists in 2019-20 and shot well at low volume. At 6ft 7, he boasts fantastic positional dimensions and potential as a pick-and-roll point guard and perimeter defender. An intriguing draft-and-stash candidate.
This would be a rather hasty slip from where Jones appeared in past teasing (mostly late first, sometimes first second). In his second season since Duke, he won ACC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 16.2 points and 6.4 assists, and grossed 36.1% of his 3-star looks. points. If he’s somehow available that deep in round two, it would be a hugely valuable game, especially if Kris Dunn doesn’t come back.
Vassell is another prototype 3-eD winger that the Bulls could target if their selection were to make it into the latter part of the top 10. It’s not quite the athlete Okoro is, but he’s a bit longer, the reinforcing his exceptional passing lane hunting skills and crushing opportunities – and a more proven outside shooter (41.5% 3P, 3.5 attempts per game in his second year at Florida State).
NBA contributor on Day 1. If he lands in Chicago, he'd warrant "small forward of the future" consideration." data-reactid="43">The tools he possesses as a team defender, combined with his long range shot (assuming it translates) will make him an NBA contributor on Day 1. If he lands in Chicago, he deserves to be considered the “little forward of the future”.
Riller is a fast-rising angler in abundance for his scoring prowess – he averaged 21.9 points on 49.9% of shots (36.2% on 3) in his senior season at College of Charleston. .
While he will be punished for the strength of the competition, his sublime first step, driving and finishing skill, and incredible 0.47 free throw speed in 2019-20 could make him an intriguing proposition for teams in need. of a candle. The Bulls would be delighted with such an injection of life at the end of the offensive.
Wiseman is a conundrum at the top of this draft. In theory, he is a super athletic, 7-foot shot blocker and ground runner, with the potential to expand his offensive play into the 3-point arc. It has all the tools to make a difference at the heart of the modern era.
But he only played three games in Memphis in his freshman season, and while the numbers are garish, those can be at least partially attributed to a cupcake campaign early program. If he’s there at number 7, the best potential available may be too tempting to pass up, even for a team of Bulls that already has Lauri Markkanen and Wendell Carter Jr. manning the frontcourt. However, there are greater areas of need.
A defensive-minded guard from a blue blood program. While not a reliable shooter, Hagans averaged 6.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game in his second year at Kentucky.
Selecting Avdija would be a real success for a Bulls team that needs help on the wing. His passing ability (especially off the post) and grace on the break are enticing, especially for a player of his 6-foot-9 build.
NBA level will be his shooting. Though Avdija's 3-point accuracy improved over the course of his season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, especially after the COVID-19 hiatus, still-spotty mechanics at times and a paltry free-throw success rate cast doubt. His position (small forward? Power forward? Point forward?) at the NBA level is also a question, especially defensively. But his playmaking is advanced and the handle is coming along. By all accounts, he's a voracious learner and thinker of the game. Avdija could be special." data-reactid="60">His NBA-wide swinging prowess will be shooting. Though Avdija’s 3-point accuracy improved over the course of his season with Maccabi Tel Aviv, especially after the COVID-19 break, still tarnished mechanics at times and a paltry free-throw success rate cast doubt on. His position (small forward? Forward? Point forward?) Is also an issue at the NBA level, especially defensive. But his direction has advanced and the handle is coming. By all accounts, he is a voracious student and game thinker. Avdija could be special.
Elijah Hughes, F, Syracuse
Jay Scrubb, G, John A. Logan College (JUCO)
Paul Reed, F, DePaul
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NBA Roundup Mock Draft: Bulls targets in round one and two originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago“data-reactid =” 75 “>2020 NBA Roundup Mock Draft: Bulls targets in round one and two originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
