On Tuesday, May 15th, 2018 the NBA draft lottery was held. Bulls fans everywhere watched anxiously to see where the Chicago Bulls would end up. With an 18.3% chance to land in the top 3 optimism was running rampant within the fan base. The Bulls were slated to pick 6th after winning a tiebreaker against the Sacremento Kings on April 13, 2018.
In a shocking turn of events, the Bulls fell to the 7th pick during the draft lottery and optimism seemed faint. Here is why Bulls fans should keep calm and have some faith.
Assuming Marvin Bagley III, Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic are off the board, here are some realistic draft targets for the Bulls.
Mohamed Bamba (Texas, C)
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Texas | 29 | 28 | 30.2 | .603 | .280 | .678 | 10.4 | .5 | .8 | 3.7 | 12.9 |
The 6’11 center out of Texas has been high on a lot of Chicago Bulls fans list. Bamba is an athletic freak who can play great defense in the paint and also contribute on the offensive end. Bamba has an extraordinary work ethic as well, training with future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett to improve his draft stock.
Why Bamba Makes Sense At 7
Bamba can come in right away to help take the pressure off of Lauri Markkanen in the paint. Bamba was a feared shot blocker at Texas and with his lengthy frame. That skill set should translate over to the NBA. Offensively Bamba has been working on his 3pt shot and his footwork before the draft. His work ethic is something that is very intriguing and should be praised before the upcoming draft.
Mo Bamba putting that work in! 💪
Stay tuned. #KGArea21 pic.twitter.com/k0k4dvDdJ4
— KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) May 10, 2018
Wendell Carter Jr. (Duke, F/C)
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Duke | 37 | 37 | 26.8 | .561 | .413 | .738 | 9.1 | 2.0 | .8 | 2.1 | 13.5 |
Carter is a bit more polished offensively than Mo Bamba on the inside. Strong and physical, Carter had advanced post moves for a freshman. He also doesn’t mind getting down and physical in the paint.
Why Carter Makes Sense At 7
A big body in the paint that can step out and hit a mid-range jumper, Carter, brings a lot to the table offensively. Polished post moves and good footwork can really compliment Lauri Markkanens game.
Mikal Bridges (Villanova, G/F)
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–16 | Villanova | 40 | 0 | 20.3 | .521 | .299 | .787 | 3.2 | .9 | 1.1 | .7 | 6.4 |
| 2016–17 | Villanova | 36 | 33 | 29.8 | .549 | .393 | .911 | 4.6 | 2.0 | 1.7 | .9 | 9.8 |
| 2017–18 | Villanova | 40 | 40 | 32.2 | .514 | .435 | .851 | 5.3 | 1.9 | 1.5 | 1.1 | 17.7 |
| Career | 116 | 73 | 27.3 | .525 | .400 | .845 | 4.3 | 1.6 | 1.4 | .9 | 11.3 | |
Mikal Bridges is the safe pick here for the Chicago Bulls. He declared for the NBA draft after his junior year and is slated to go in the lottery. In his three years at Villanova, Bridges has improved every year. Rasing his scoring and hitting the 3pt shot at a better percentage every year he was there.
Why Bridges Makes Sense at 7
Bridges can be the 3 and D guy the Bulls can use at the small forward position. His success does not rely on him having the ball constantly. With having Kris Dunn and Zach Lavine showing last year they can move the ball throughout the offense, Bridges becomes the plugin type of player that can wait on the wings. Putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim and hitting the three are things he brings offensively and his defense is something the Bulls are in need of.
Michael Porter Jr. (Missouri, F)
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | Missouri | 3 | 1 | 17.7 | .333 | .300 | .778 | 6.7 | .3 | 1.0 | .3 | 10.0 |
Now, this actually might be the riskiest pick for the Bulls. Coming off major back surgery fans did not get to see what MPJ is all about in college. In high school, Porter was ranked the number one prospect in the country. At 6’10 Porter can dribble the ball like a guard and shoot like a young Kevin Durant.
Why Porter Makes Sense At 7
Potential, potential, and more potential. This young man has been compared to Kevin Durant and that alone is enough for most Bulls fans. Due to his injury, teams didn’t get to witness the play that made him the number one prospect heading into college, but there is a reason he is still within the top 10 on every mock draft around. If Porter can be what most experts say he could be, the Bulls shouldn’t pass up on a talent like him.
