[Scott42444Participant]

So, here we are.  Today’s the day.  Last year at this time, I was expecting my Chicago Bulls to take Justin Jackson at #16, fresh off a nice NCAA Championship performance (typical Bulls pick, makes me yawn just thinking of it).  Instead…BOOM!  They are taking a stud at #7 in Lauri Markkanen and bringing in the previous year’s #5 in Kris Dunn and former slam dunk champ Zach Lavine.  No amount of preparation would have prepared me for that.  That, however, is almost impossible to predict.  So ignoring crazy trade ideas AND taking into account a logical pick for your favorite team’s draft spot:

Which rumored pick for your team will make you the most angry?

For me, it’s Wendell Carter, Jr. at #7 for the Bulls.  I have confidence in GarPax picking in the 20’s, so I’m fine with whomever they pick with their 2nd pick.  But Wendell Carter is NOT rumored by many to go in the Top 6.  Not saying it’s bad, but it’s just a typical safe pick by Chicago of a high floor, lower ceiling guy.  I want them to swing for the fences and take Porter, Bamba, trade up for Doncic, etc.  I do NOT WANT ANOTHER SAFE PICK AT #7!!!

How about you guys? 

 

[zcnumerounoParticipant]

 I’m not a fan of Jerome Robinson and Aaron Holiday being mocked to my Bucks… I would not be a fan of either of those picks.

Robinson could be a good offensive player in the league, but he will struggle defensively, and I don’t want to draft one-way players, especially with how bad the Bucks have been on that end in recent years.

I really don’t think the Bucks need a point guard at this juncture, particularly a guy that can only play that position. They already have Bledsoe, Brogdon and Delly. All of those guys can play the 2, but the Bucks have more pressing needs– a big man or a two-way wing.

[Scott42444Participant]

Yeah, if what THIS site says as of this moment comes true and you guys draft Lonnie Walker, I think you should be happy.  I like Jerome Robinson myself, but I can’t really disagree with what you are saying.  He really is heavily favored as an offense first player at this point.

I think Holiday is a damn good player too, but you are correct in that the fit isn’t great in Milwaukee.  He really is ONLY a PG at this point and he would probably be behind Giannis (as well as Bledsoe, Brogdon, and Delly) on the depth chart as the primary ball handler.

  

[Scott42444Participant]

Yeah, if what THIS site says as of this moment comes true and you guys draft Lonnie Walker, I think you should be happy.  I like Jerome Robinson myself, but I can’t really disagree with what you are saying.  He really is heavily favored as an offense first player at this point.

I think Holiday is a damn good player too, but you are correct in that the fit isn’t great in Milwaukee.  He really is ONLY a PG at this point and he would probably be behind Giannis (as well as Bledsoe, Brogdon, and Delly) on the depth chart as the primary ball handler.

  

[Jr. ROXASParticipant]

Again if the Kings draft Michael Porter… Vlade and Vivek should be forced out of their positions. I’d be more forgiving if they draft Bagley over Doncic but please, Doncic is that face of the franchise the Kings have always wanted.

[ndbigdaveParticipant]

I am also a Bulls fan and though I suppose I would agree that Carter would not be a particularly exciting pick, depending on how things fall with #1-6 he may very well be the smartest pick they could make. The picks that could actually cause me to turn the TV off or chuck the remote at the TV would be Collin Sexton, Kevin Knox or Miles Bridges. Mikal Bridges would get a “sigh” though I could talk myself into why its an OK, low-risk pick. Carter, I would be “OK” with and more excited that Bridges because Carter is a former top 5 recruit, is much younger and has a clearly defined role in the modern NBA as a big who can shoot, pass, rim protect and is just a “solid” player ala Al Horford. I would think of the realistic possibilities Bridges would be the guy you would dislike the most because he is an older player without much-expected growth – Carter is at least coming off a strong Freshman season and is young enough to develop with both skills and physically.

I would lose my mind about the other guys because there is no scenario where they are either the highest upside option nor the best option, it would involve passing on better prospects to reach for a guy in my opinion.

The conventional wisdom and leaked information make it sound like this is how the top 6 will play out:
1 – Ayton
2 – Bagley (likely)
3 – Doncic (likely)
4 – Jackson Jr. (also a spot for a trade up for Bama)
5 – Bamba
6 – Feels like a Trae Young spot, but is a bit of a toss-up

That means in all likelihood the “highest upside” guy could Porter Jr. available, then perhaps Young, otherwise it becomes the best of that next tier of guys of which I do think Carter may be the best mix of safety and potential. If we pass on Porter and Carter to take Mikal Bridges all be disappointed but not “mad” if we pass on those guys to take Knox or Miles Bridges Ill be pissed not just because of who they are as players but by passing up other “better” options in my opinion.

[Scott42444Participant]

But did you see this?

 

pbs.twimg.com/media/DgJalrYUEAA5_yo.jpg

  

Lauri’s bulking up to play the 5, lol.  I want offense, offense, offense.  I think 3 and D wings are the EASIEST to find in the #15-#30 range (which is where the Bulls will probably be in 2 years in a disgusting Eastern Conference) and I don’t know how hard it should be to find rim running bigs in that range moving forward either.  I basically want a highly skilled guy when picking Top 10 in a deep draft.  I feel like Carter is the kind of guy you get when you JUST MISS the playoffs and have a couple picks and trade up in a draft (like we did when we drafted McDermott, not the player but the scenario).  Not TANKING A WHOLE SEASON type of draft pick.  I know, in my brain, that doesn’t really matter.  But in my stupid fan heart I want a bit more excitement.

[ndbigdaveParticipant]

You are not “wrong” it is just the cost of the pick in your eyes and the possible return. Carter isn’t being billed as an organizational changing player and isn’t a splash player either so it feels like a tanked season resulted in a role player – which may ultimately be true and feel disappointing. I cant change how anyone will “feel” about the pick, but do not understand Carter. He is a very bright young man, with an NBA physique already. He plays a controlled, smart game and while he isn’t an “explosive” athlete he handles himself quite well because he does have a mix of strength and natural size. As he physically matures he is going to be a horse down low. There are many pundits, people over at The Ringer and The Stepien who rate Carter over Bagley and is likely a “safer” player than Jaren Jackson Jr. and Bamba (3 guys almost certainly to be drafted higher). “Safe” is an unfun word, but it also means we don’t get a “bust” which is sometimes all you can ask for. Carter fills in many of the gaps in Lauri’s game (rebounding, post defense, rim protection) while having more range than Lopez and obviously much younger/cheaper. I think the Al Horford comps are fair – we all saw how valuable he was this past season for the Celtics and he is an NBA All-Star caliber player, I think Carter can be that as well.

If we do want more of a swing for the fences move, I am in on the Michael Porter bandwagon. Naturally the medical scare the living hell out of me, but any team that drafts him has undoubtedly poured over the medical reports and even had a physical done. The Bulls are one of the teams that MPj seems to have preferred and has provided all of his info to them.

I know you said it at least tongue and cheek, but I would love if we could play Lauri at the main post position (you don’t have to call it “center” necessarily) because it would also Porter to play the SF/PF or “big forward” spot along with Lauri. Having two 6’10”+ guys with legitimate NBA 3-point range is ridiculous and could lead to future Bulls teams featuring a starting five where everyone is a 3-point threat. That is my dream, get five guys who can all shoot, all have at least limited passing/ball handling and can generally switch without being total liabilities. We can’t do that – yet. Drafting Porter, just like drafting Young is an exciting offensive possibility, but the defense could be historically bad. I think Porter could eventually be average due to his height/length whereas Young will be picked on mercilessly in the pick-and-roll.
I’ll be perfectly “fine” with Carter at 7, be crossing my fingers and be pumped for Porter at 7, Ill “sigh” with Mikal Bridges at 7 and Ill generally be pissed about almost any other expected outcome unless one of the 5 we expect to go somehow drops.

[jonus grumbyParticipant]

 Young is the wildcard.  If he goes in top 6 someone will fall to the Bulls.  If he does not go top 6 I agree it is likely Carter.

[Scott42444Participant]

We need Trae Young to go to Orlando (or anyone in the Top 6) to allow #7 to work best for Chicago.  He is the one guy I think makes less sense for the Bulls out of most of the realistic Top 6 guys.  If Orlando goes with Trae Young, the Bulls get a guy we are all happy with.  If Trae Young is still on the board at #7, I’m going to be pissed. 

[WetalkinboutpracticeParticipant]

 Damn near every draft save for 2015 (Kristaps) , but the one from recent memory that sticks out the most is 2009 when they selected Jordan Hill over any of the point guards left on the board. Jennings, Holiday Teague, Lawson just to name a few. Especially after all the talk was about them targeting Steph Curry, when he was off the board the logical decision to me was just take the next best PG available even if it was a slight reach.

[jonus grumbyParticipant]

What will make me most upset is if they actually pick at #7 & #22.  That to me would be settling rather than getting the players they want.  Reports are that they could move to #4 and/or #15 by taking on $$.  The Bulls have the room to do a deal like that.  To me it would be foolish to save the cap space in hopes of landing a FA either later this year or next year.  That has not worked out for the Bulls.  So identify the player or players you want and go get them.  

To answer question directly I would be most upset if they pick Young at #7 or Allen at #22.

 

 

[Scott42444Participant]

…not to mention they always have the stretch provision AND if they take guys with high upside, put them in a position to succeed, they can ALWAYS make salary go away with some shrewd trades if a free agent wants to sign here.  It hasn’t happened since Jordan retired (and even that was old, ring chasers) but we keep trying to get the premiere free agents.  They should be trying the Houston model (when they traded to get Harden and Paul) more than the Miami/LA Lakers model (where they sign free agents with monster cap room – and beautiful, warm weather that Chicago doesn’t really have 1/2 the year).  Stockpile assets and trade them when a guy is available or disgruntled.  Screw cap space.   

[ndbigdaveParticipant]

I will agree, I posted the exact same thoughts not too long ago, the trick is – I want them to move up to get a difference maker at #4. When I posted my possible trade, it was in the hopes that Bagley/Doncic would be available at #4, now that it appears that Ayton, Bagley, Doncic will go 1-3 I am a little less bullish about moving up and setting fire to the cap space (where they could do a similar move later in the year to absorb a shit contract and get another asset). I would be OK with a move to #4 for Jackson Jr., perhaps even Porter Jr. if the Bulls are sold on his medicals and want to ensure they get their guy.

Moving up from #22 may be “easier to do” and I would encourage it, but the issue is most of the guys in the next tier are similarly rated/valued is it worth eating up the cap space? I say yes if it is for a guy who drops or to, once again, ensure you get “your guy.”

I prefer building through the draft and then, when most of the “core” is on their rookie deals trying to make a splash in free-agency – a similar position to where the 76ers find themselves, most key players being on cheap, rookie deals so that they can spend money to fill the gaps.

http://www.nbadraft.net/forum/bulls-move-twice-use-cap-space-another-way

[AlexanderNevermindParticipant]

Trading out of the 2009 NBA Draft when the Wiz couldve took Steph Curry (5th pick).  We got those noted all stars Mike Miller and Randy Foye for our efforts…….GA already showed signs that his career was in trouble (gun and slow recovery from knee) and Steph had destroyed MD and GTown in college so I was praying we would get him.  As much as I love John Brad Otto and the rest of the crew, I still get sick over this draft. 

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