The 2017 NBA draft is just one short week away. The Chicago Bulls have the 16th pick in the first round and the 38th pick in the second round. Vice President John Paxson admitted during his season-ending press conference with GM Gar Forman that finding franchise-changing players is tough when you’re picking in the middle. So what can Bulls fans expect? Hopefully someone with more apparent potential than what Bobby Portis has shown in two seasons or Denzel Valentine showed as a rookie.
Draft Strategy
Forman and Paxson have a track record of drafting “best available” as opposed to drafting to fit the roster’s specific needs. However, we might see them stray from that course a bit this time around. Paxson made note several times that this roster seriously lacked shooting threats last season, and they’ll try to add a shooter in some way. That could mean a guard, a wing or even a stretch power forward with potential as an NBA three point shooter.
The other common denominator among previous GarPax picks is age and experience. The only two “one-and-done” players they’ve drafted in recent history are Derrick Rose and Marquis Teague. One of those worked out great (at least in the beginning) and the other was a total bust. Will we see them draft another player with several years of college experience? That might be difficult in this draft, as this class is very heavily saturated with one-year guys. If the best player available only has one year (either overseas or in college) under his belt, look for GarPax to take a chance.
With that, let’s take a look at the top ten most likely candidates for the Bulls to select with the 16th pick. We’ll begin with 10-6, and get to the prime candidates later this week.
Top 10 Most Likely Bulls Draft Picks In 2017
10. T.J. Leaf – UCLA
Year: Freshman Position: PF Meet/Workout with Bulls: No
Leaf is projected to go somewhere in the late teens or early twenties, but the Bulls might surprise people and nab him at 16. He’s the prototypical stretch four for the modern NBA, and shot a blistering 46.6% from downtown for the Bruins. He can also attack and play above the rim with power and runs the floor very well for a guy his size. Downside? His defense is a mess. While he’d fit in beautifully with Fred Hoiberg’s desired “pace and space” offense, The Mayor can’t do much to develop Leaf’s defense or hide its weaknesses schematically.
*While we’re talking about guys from UCLA, I’ll put Ike Anigbogu here as option 10(b).
10(b). Ike Anigbogu – UCLA
Year: Freshman Position: C Meet/Workout with Bulls: No
This kid is a big project, but he could be well worth it someday. At only 18.5 years old and playing a reserve role in his one season with UCLA, Anigbogu is very raw. But the physical tools are there. He might have the highest potential in this class to develop the ideal “big man” body in today’s NBA that’s both quick and strong. Ike is 6’10 with a 7’3 wingspan and has great multiple-jump efforts on blocks and contests. He also has pretty good lateral feet that will only improve over time. There’s not much to offer on the offensive end yet, but he could turn into a defensive star. If GarPax want someone “young and athletic” to eventually replace Robin Lopez, this guy should be on their board.
9. Jarrett Allen – Texas
Year: Freshman Position: C Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes
Allen had a private workout with the Bulls earlier this week, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. The center from Texas was a one-man wrecking crew through the Big 12 last season. Like Anigbogu, he will need time to develop his offensive game at the NBA level, but he has more in his arsenal coming into the draft. He’s decent executing the pick and roll, and his enormous hands make him a great rim runner and lob target. Allen’s physique is top notch, standing 6’10 with a whopping 7’5.5 wingspan. The defensive skills are ready for the NBA.
Downside? Virtually zero chance at developing perimeter offense. While he converted 68% of his shots around rim for Texas, he played enough minutes at the four to prove he has no business playing the four in the NBA. If the Bulls insist on drafting a shooter, Allen’s out.
8. Donovan Mitchell – Louisville
Year: Sophomore Position: SG Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes
I so wish Mitchell were closer to #1 on this list. But this is a list of most likely Bulls draft picks, not best cast scenario draft picks. Mitchell did work out for the Bulls, and unsurprisingly they were very impressed. He may be undersized for an NBA shooting guard (6’3) but he has an insane wingspan for his height (6’10). That, combined with his lateral quickness and instincts, should make for a pretty ferocious perimeter defender.
On top of his defensive upside, Mitchell might be the most athletic guy in this entire draft. His midrange and three point skills are average, but his athleticism and strength going coast-to-coast and attacking the basket reminds me of pre-ACL Derrick Rose. Seriously. He’s also a gifted distributor and could turn into an option at point guard in the NBA. Given the expected departures of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo next summer, this kid would be a great addition to the young core’s backcourt.
Unfortunately for the Bulls, Mitchell’s draft stock has been rising steadily for the past month and he’ll likely be gone before the 16th pick. If he somehow miraculously falls, the Bulls must steal him.
7. Justin Patton – Creighton
Year: Freshman Position: C Meet/Workout with Bulls: Yes
When chatting with Bulls scouts at the NBA Combine, Patton expressed confidence in his ability to contribute offensively around the perimeter at the NBA level. Smart kid, knowing that’s the answer they were looking for. But is it true? Let’s pump the brakes. His eye-popping 57.1% shooting from deep last season falls flat when you realize he only attempted 0.4 threes per game. He does have the size (7’0, 7’2.5 wingspan) and quickness to be an effective NBA center. He runs the floor well in transition and can play above the rim.
I wouldn’t necessarily take Patton over Allen or Anigbogu if you’re talking about NBA potential at the center position, but we can’t forget the Gar Factor (patent pending). Patton played at Creighton under whom? Coach Greg McDermott. The Ames, Iowa connection might strike again in the 2017 draft.
6. OG Anunoby – Indiana
Year: Sophomore Position: SF/PF Meet/Workout with Bulls: No
Anunoby is one of the more fascinating unknowns of this draft. He burst onto the scene with a dominant defensive performance against Kentucky’s Jamal Murray in the 2016 Tournament his freshman year. Then OG hit a huge roadblock midway through his sophomore season with a torn ACL.
Even with that big injury asterisk, most are expecting Anunoby to be a lottery pick. Why? The kid is an athletic freak of nature in every perfect way for today’s NBA. The combo forward is long (6’8, 7’2 wingspan), strong and confident on the defensive end. He could very well turn into a Draymond Green/Kawhi Leonard type, capable of guarding 4 or 5 positions on the floor. He still needs a lot of work on the offensive end, but that can come with time. Draymond wasn’t the confident three point shooter he is now when he came out of Michigan State. Kawhi had virtually no offensive versatility when he got drafted from San Diego State. Look at them now.
If the Bulls want young, athletic guys who can guard multiple positions while developing a better NBA stroke, Anunoby would be a great option at 16. But with a different torn ACL so fresh in their memory, GarPax might shy away from him.
That’s 10-6 (with a bonus 10b) on my list of the Bulls’ most likely draft picks. Keep it here at Sports Mockery to find out who makes the top half of the list later this week!
