The Chicago Bulls look like a team in transition ahead of the 2024-2025 season. Alex Caruso is gone. Josh Giddey has arrived. Arturas Karnisovas knew things couldn’t stay the same after another disappointing year of unfulfilled expectations. The problem is the upcoming NBA draft may not be able to help. Many experts feel it’s one of the weaker classes in recent memory. There isn’t a lot of star power. Even so, it doesn’t mean there aren’t any potential good players. With the 11th pick in the 1st round, Chicago still has a chance to land somebody capable of helping the organization.
Nobody can say for sure what the Bulls do. However, most agree they are likely to target help on the perimeter. Some names connected to them include Devin Carter of Providence and Ron Holland of the G League Ignite. Sam Vecenie of The Athletic is hearing differently. Based on his sources, another name has been mentioned in connection with the Bulls more than any other. That is Illinois guard Terrence Shannon Jr. His mixture of speed, slashing ability, and shooting are all things the franchise needs.
It isn’t hard to see the appeal.
Shannon’s draft range is exceptionally wide right now following his acquittal earlier in June on charges of rape and aggravated sexual battery. I’ve heard him in the mix as high as No. 11 to Chicago all the way into the early portion of the second round.
Shannon’s name is the one I’ve heard most associated with the Bulls over the last 48 hours. In this scenario, they can trade down, acquire a few extra assets and still end up with a player they have at least some degree of interest in selecting. It makes sense why given Chicago’s desperate need for depth and athleticism on the perimeter.
Shannon was among the best players in college basketball this past season, but his game leaves evaluators a bit polarized. He is more of a wrecking ball that crashes into the paint with regularity as opposed to a polished scorer.
The Chicago Bulls’ interest in Shannon is understandable.
By the end of last season, he was one of the best players in college basketball, averaging 23.0 points, 1.0 steals, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. He was also making a healthy 36.2% of his three-pointers. Go watch his run in the NCAA tournament for validation: 26 points against Morehead State, 30 against Duquesne, and 29 against Iowa State. Only eventual national champion UConn was able to stop him. Though already 23 years old, Shannon should be an immediate contributor who still has plenty of upside.
The biggest uncertainty was his connection to an alleged rape last year. He has since been found not guilty of those charges. This removes the dark cloud over his head, but are the Chicago Bulls still willing to take the risk? No one can deny he has plenty of ability. Talents like him almost always find a place in the NBA. He’s often compared to Kelly Oubre Jr., one of the more underrated wings in the league over the past five years. If that is what the Bulls ultimately get, it would be a successful pick.
