Nobody argues the Chicago Bulls are in a great situation. Having two 1st round picks is never bad, especially for a rebuilding team like them. What makes it particularly advantageous is that the Bulls have two in what many consider to be a strong draft class. That includes the 4th overall pick, which puts them in position to land one of the best prospects seen in the past few years. Maybe it will be Cameron Boozer. Maybe it will be Caleb Wilson. It is difficult to know for sure. Either way, the team should end up with an excellent prospect.
However, VP of Basketball Operations Brandon Graham might not be content with the current status quo. According to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points, there is an undercurrent of belief that the Bulls are interested in moving up from their 15th overall pick into the top 10. The goal would be to secure one of the top guards in the class. Three names are on their short list: Mikel Brown of Louisville, Kingston Flemings of Houston, and Keaton Wagler of Illinois. The appeal of such a move is pretty clear.
The Chicago Bulls have the right idea with this approach.
Right now, the odds are favorable that they will get a top front court player with the 4th pick, be it Boozer or Wilson. The problem is that it leaves them with a sketchy situation at both guard spots. Josh Giddey remains a strong option at point guard, but the depth behind him isn’t great with Rob Dillingham. As for shooting guard, Tre Jones is not a long-term option. If the Bulls could somehow finagle a top guard with that second 1st round pick, it would potentially lay the foundation of a strong roster moving forward.
If depth behind Giddey is what they’re seeking, then Flemings is probably their guy. He distributed the ball well last season at 5.2 assists per game, added 16.1 points, and shot a respectable 38.7% from three-point range. Brown and Wagler are better options at the two. Brown has natural explosiveness and scoring versatility, able to create his own shot and hit from behind the arc at 34.4%. Wagler is more of a combo guard with great shooting touch, more length, and defensive grit.
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Graham is likely hoping to recreate something he saw in 2012.
He joined the New Orleans Pelicans organization in 2010. Two years later, their maneuvering landed them the #1 and #10 picks in the 2012 draft. Their first selection was Anthony Davis, a future Hall of Famer who went to six All-Star games for the organization. With the second pick, they landed the endlessly dependable Austin Rivers, who has spent 11 years in the league. Under different circumstances, that draft could’ve put the Pelicans in a position to truly compete. Graham may have that same vision for the Chicago Bulls.
The challenge is finding a trade partner. Giving up any future assets to get that high is not something the team wants to do. That means they will need another team eager to dump a large contract. Chicago can offer that with their extensive salary cap space. Sacramento (#7) might be the one to watch. They are looking to dump either Domantas Sabonis ($94.1 million over the next two years) or Zach Lavine ($48.9 million player option). That 7th spot would be the ideal location for the Bulls to land one of those guards.
