The NBA draft takes place tonight, which means the Bulls will have two new pieces for their rebuild before you go to sleep. The Bulls need to improve at every position, which means they can’t afford to miss tonight.
Bulls Vice President of Basketball Operations John Paxson has had success with both the #7 and #22 pick, drafting Luol Deng, Lauri Markkanen and Bobby Portis. With a little bit of luck, he could land a top-five talent at #7. Adding a future starter at #22 would certainly help as well.
For the purpose of this mock, no trades were included. Tonight will certainly feature some pick movement, with the Bulls possibly being involved. For now, we’ll focus on how the draft may unfold as is.
#1: Phoenix Suns – DEANDRE AYTON, C, ARIZONA
The 19-year-old seven footer is widely rumored to be the pick here. Michael Porter Jr. might be more talented but his spine might not work. Luka Doncic is probably more well rounded but his upside doesn’t touch Ayton’s. There are legitimate concerns about drafting a traditional, non-perimeter big man with the #1 pick, but those concerns likely won’t dissuade Phoenix from taking Ayton.
#2: Sacramento Kings – MARVIN BAGLEY III, PF, DUKE
What the Kings do here is anybody’s guess. Doncic would probably be the best pick, they’ve shown interest in Porter, but they’ve been rumored to like Bagley as well. Bagley going to Sacramento is the best case scenario for the Bulls because of the trickle-down effect it would have.
#3: Atlanta Hawks – LUKA DONCIC, G, SLOVENIA
Rumors are swirling that Atlanta is looking to trade down, but if they stay put it would be foolish to pass on Doncic.
#4: Memphis Grizzlies – JAREN JACKSON JR., PF/C, MICHIGAN STATE
This pick is crucial for the Bulls. If the Kings end up taking Doncic, all signs point to Atlanta taking Jackson. Sacramento taking Bagley allows Jackson to slip to the Grizzlies, whom they could easily draft over Bamba or Porter.
#5: Dallas Mavericks – MICHAEL PORTER JR., SF, MISSOURI
Dallas knows that out of the Bamba, Bagley, Porter, Jackson group, two will remain available at #5. With Porter and Bamba available in this scenario, and Dallas rumored to have their sights set on all-star center DeMarcus Cousins in free agency, Mark Cuban finally drafts the next face of the franchise with Dirk on his last legs.
#6: Orlando Magic – TRAE YOUNG, PG, OKLAHOMA
This pick right here is why it’s so important for the Bulls that Bagley goes in the top 3. If Jackson and Bamba both go in the top 4 along with Ayton and Doncic, Dallas will take Porter or Bagley, with whomever they pass over falling right into Orlando’s hands. However, if neither Porter or Bagley are available, the Magic could be forced to reach for Young.
Why? Because of the Magic’s recent draft history of drafting athletes-over-scorers. Aaron Gordon/Elfrid Payton/Jonathan Isaac haven’t gotten the job done, and drafting Bamba in this spot continues that unsuccessful trend.
#7: Chicago Bulls – MO BAMBA, C, TEXAS
Bamba slipping to the Bulls is unlikely, but if he does fall out of the top 6 the Bulls will jump on him immediately. If this happens, feel free to be very excited.
#8: Cleveland Cavaliers – WENDELL CARTER JR., C, DUKE
I’d actually guess that Wendell Carter Jr. has the highest chance of any prospect to end up drafted by the Bulls. In this scenario, Cleveland jumps on the best player available.
#9: New York Knicks – KEVIN KNOX JR., SF, KENTUCKY
I love Kevin Knox as a prospect. Mikal Bridges will likely be the better player over the next two seasons, but no wing in the draft, including Porter, has as high of a ceiling as Knox does.
#10: Philadelphia 76ers – MIKAL BRIDGES, SF, VILLANOVA
Another player that the Bulls will have their eye on. Bridges and the 76ers would be a perfect match. Bridges will step in right away in a limited role while Philly won’t have to wait for him to develop as long they’d have to wait for most rookies.
#11: Charlotte Hornets – COLLIN SEXTON, PG, ALABAMA
After back-to-back sub 40 win seasons, the Hornets seem primed to go full tank after trading Dwight Howard for Timofey Mosgov. The next step of rebuilding is trading Kemba Walker, and Sexton would be an intriguing replacement.
#12: Los Angeles Clippers – LONNIE WALKER IV, SG, MIAMI
With back to back picks here, expect the Clips to try to restock their backcourt with athleticism and scorers. Walker fits both those descriptions.
#13: Los Angeles Clippers – SHAI GILGEOUS-ALEXANDER, PG, KENTUCKY
SGA is far from a finished product but length, athleticism and youth are on his side.
#14: Denver Nuggets – MILES BRIDGES, SF, MICHIGAN STATE
He could go a bit higher, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go to Philly at 10. If he’s still on the board here expect the 46 win Nuggets to jump on the high-jumping sharpshooter.
#15: Washington Wizards – ZHAIRE SMITH, SG, TEXAS TECH
Smith is one of the best stories in the draft, going from 3-star recruit to one-and-done top 20 pick in the span of 9 months. He carried Texas Tech to the Elite Eight and he’s being rewarded for it.
#16: Phoenix Suns – TROY BROWN, SF, OREGON
Brown is the bizarro Zhaire Smith. He was a 5-star recruit who came to an Oregon team that made the Final Four in 2017, but was unable to help them even make the NCAA Tournament while putting up pedestrian numbers. He’s got an NBA body, an unselfish game and he’s really young, so someone will take a chance on him early.
#17: Milwaukee Bucks – ROBERT WILLIAMS, C, TEXAS A&M
Most mock drafts have Williams in the late lottery, but the plethora of bigs going in the top 10 and motor questions have me thinking Williams will slide a bit. He could be a great fit as a defensive/rebounding specialist alongside Milwaukee’s perimeter foursome of Giannis, Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton and Tony Snell.
#18: San Antonio Spurs – DZANAN MUSA, SF, BOSNIA
It’s no secret the Spurs are as good as anyone at developing foreign-born players. The speedy 6’8 teenager could be a lot of fun to watch one day.
#19: Atlanta Hawks – AARON HOLLIDAY, PG, UCLA
Dennis Schroder and the Atlanta Hawks do not appear to be a match made in heaven. Atlanta needs a replacement to play alongside Doncic and the younger brother of Jrue and Justin is as good a candidate as any.
#20: Minnesota Timberwolves – DANTE DIVENCENZO, SG, VILLANOVA
Divencenzo was this year’s combine darling, but he’s a little undersized and doesn’t yet have the kind of ballhandling or instincts you’d like to see in a full-time point guard. In Minnesota, he could come off the bench as a shooter and Thibs will love his tenacious defensive attitude.
#21: Utah Jazz – ELIE OKOBO, PG, FRANCE
Ricky Rubio is entering the final year of his contract. The pass-first Okobo would be a logical replacement.
#22: Chicago Bulls – KHYRI THOMAS, PG/SG, CREIGHTON
There are rumors that the Bulls promised Boise State forward Chandler Hutchinson they would draft him here. Hutchinson played the last four years in a mid-major conference and he also plays below the rim at 6’7. No thank you!
Thomas is basically a do-over of the Denzel Valentine pick. At only 6’4, his wingspan is 6’10, which will allow him to guard multiple positions. Speaking of guarding, he’s a two time Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He also shot over 40% from three over his collegiate career. He’ll be able to do everything Valentine was supposed to do.
#23: Indiana Pacers – KEVIN HUERTER, SG, MARYLAND
Dead-eye shooter that’ll help Victor Oladipo get more room to operate.
#24: Portland Trail Blazers – JEROME ROBINSON, SG, BOSTON COLLEGE
Portland excels at developing skilled, undersized guards. Enter 6’4 shooting guard Jerome Robinson.
#25: Los Angeles Lakers – JOSH OKOGIE, SG, GEORGIA TECH
Profiles as a prototypical 3-and-D guy. This is a weird pick to mock given LA’s aspirations to land Lebron and Paul George in free agency despite sucking the last few years.
#26: Philadelphia 76ers – GRAYSON ALLEN, SG, DUKE
Because who else is going to replace J.J. Reddick?
#27: Boston Celtics – MITCHELL ROBINSON, C, N/A
Robinson did not play basketball at a competitive level last season, mostly because the NCAA is the worst. He’s the hardest player to mock in this class. For his own sake, I hope he gets drafted by the brilliant Brad Stevens and becomes the best version of himself.
#28: Golden State Warriors – JACOB EVANS, SF, CINCINNATI
If Khyri Thomas isn’t on the board at #22, Evans is the player I hope the Bulls select. He is big, strong, athletic and relatively polished. That’s good! The Warriors didn’t become a dynasty by passing on good players.
#29: Brooklyn Nets – CHANDLER HUTCHINSON, SF, BOISE STATE
Please don’t draft him John.
#30: Atlanta Hawks – KEITA BATES-DIOP, SF, OHIO STATE
The Big Ten Player of the Year has the tools to develop into a versatile two-way forward.
There you have it. Tonight, the Bulls walk away with the next Rudy Gobert and a top end bench guy/admirable spot starter. Time for Fred Hoiberg to get to work.
