Who Do Mock Drafts Project The Bulls To Take?
(CBS) The NBA Draft is just more than two weeks away from us, as it will be held on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Bulls hold the 22nd pick in the draft after a season in which they went 50-32 and lost in the Eastern Conference semifinals to the Cavaliers.
Whereas last season there was an obvious need and vision to add shooting that resulted in the selection of wing Doug McDermott, the choice for the Bulls this season isn't quite as clear. That said, the majority of mock drafts have the Bulls going with a guard or wing, which makes sense given the roster construction. The Bulls still have four big men under contract who are quality players when healthy -- Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic -- and backup point guard Aaron Brooks and starting forward Mike Dunleavy are set to become free agents. Jimmy Butler's also on a path toward restricted free agency, though the Bulls are widely expected to match any offer for him if they don't make a proactive max offer before that.
With that in mind, here's a look at who some of the mock drafts have Chicago taking at No. 22.
Draft Express: Justin Anderson, SF, Virgina
"A big part of that (top Virginia) defense has been junior Justin Anderson, a physical specimen capable of guarding multiple positions for the Cavaliers. At 6'6", with long arms, good quickness, and a well developed upper body, Anderson has quick enough feet to defend wings on the perimeter and enough brute strength to defend smaller players in the post."
Sam Vecenie, CBSSports.com: Sam Dekker, SF, Wisconsin
Gary Parrish, CBSSports.com: Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
Zach Harper, CBSSports.com: Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Scott Howard-Cooper, NBA.com: Bobby Portis, PF, Arkansas
Portis can fit in the stretch-four mold, someone who can make a shot with range (though not yet out to the 3-point line) and pass. That's good and also a potential problem. Is he simply a tweener?
Sean Deveney, The Sporting News: Montrezl Harrell, PF, Louisville
The Bulls might look to move Taj Gibson (again) this offseason, and having a defensive-minded backup big man will be of value.
Chris Mannix, SI.com: Christian Wood, PF, UNLV
"The rapidly developing Wood is a bit of a risk here — Justin Anderson or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, two defensive-minded players, are safer picks — but the Bulls need frontcourt offense and Wood has terrific inside-out potential. He won't play much in his first year, maybe two, but he has an enormous upside."
NBADraft.net: Rondae-Hollis Jefferson, SF, Arizona
Derek Bodner, USA Today: Tyus Jones, PG, Duke
Adding Jones as a backup to Derrick Rose would give the Bulls some much-needed depth and stability at the position.
Chris Johnson & Jeremy Woo, SI.com: Delon Wright, G, Utah
"Chicago brings in new backup point guards like rock bands cycle through drummers. That comes to an end with Wright, who has the college experience Chicago's front office loves and sits as the most NBA-ready playmaker on the board. He's got the size to handle both guard spots and his defensive skills will let the Bulls switch more on the perimeter. If he can take some pressure off Jimmy Butler on that end and lead the second unit right away, he'll provide a huge boost."
