Presented by Nationwide Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
Providence guard Devin Carter’s stock is rising ahead of this week’s NBA Draft, a two-day event that begins Wednesday with the Chicago Bulls (at one point linked to Carter) currently ranked 11th in general.
Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham is the name currently linked to the Bulls in the most simulated drafts, which, as befits a class loaded with potential but not infallible star, are tremendously disparate.
On the heels of last month’s NBA draft lottery, USC guard Isaiah Collier landed in speculation tied to the Bulls.
Do you notice a trend? All guards, linked to a team swimming in them.
Of course, all of this pre-draft talk occurred before the Bulls traded Alex Caruso for Josh Giddey, who will be introduced by the Bulls virtually on Tuesday afternoon. And it’s well documented that the Bulls are shopping Zach LaVine.
Still, for a team that employs LaVine (for now), Giddey, Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu, Jevon Carter, Lonzo Ball and a former first-round pick in need of developmental work in Dalen Terry, cautious optimism has meaning. brand new.
Teams often get into trouble when they ignore the standard “best player available” philosophy and recruit based on need. Particularly in this draft, where talent evaluation is a matter of beauty, a surprising player could be available at No. 11.
Still, in a first round that is projected to be loaded with guards, it will be intriguing to see what the Bulls do. If Cody Williams is available, he will fit into the “tool” wing that this management regime seems to favor in personnel decisions. So would Ron Holland, who, like Williams, is young and needs development.
Other wing possibilities who project for later in the first round but could make sense for the Bulls: Illinois and Lincoln Park High School star Terrence Shannon Jr. and Tyler Smith, who showed his “3-and-D” potential ” for the G League. Light.
Currently, the Bulls do not have a second-round pick for Thursday. Last year, the Bulls traded to acquire the draft rights to Julian Phillips in the second round and there remains internal optimism about his potential.
League sources said the Bulls have had conversations moving forward and backward in this draft, which is not atypical for this time of year, let alone this type of draft. There is value across the board, waiting to be properly evaluated.
Following last month’s draft lottery, the Bulls exuded confidence that they would find value by remaining at No. 11. They have worked on a wide variety of prospects following their in-season scouting process.
The acquisition of Giddey, which Artūras Karnišovas will address after Wednesday’s first round, could signal an open mindset to break out of the middle path of mediocrity the Bulls currently find themselves on. It certainly calls into question the future of DeMar DeRozan, who will be an unrestricted free agent on June 30 unless the Bulls re-sign him first. As of late last week, there was little momentum for a new deal.
Several rival executives are under the impression that the Bulls will re-sign or match any offer presented to restricted free agent Patrick Williams, who also fits the potential new timeline suggested by Giddey’s arrival.
The same goes for LaVine, who, after all, is a two-time All-Star and a career 38 percent 3-point shooter that oozes athleticism. But that’s a story for another day. For now, the focus is on the long-term future, and some answers in the form of a first-round pick will be revealed on Wednesday.
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