Chicago Bulls: Way-Too-Early Big Board of 2017 Draft Prospects (Part I)
Mar 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; From left to right McDonald’s All-Americans De’Aaron Fox (5), Malik Monk (5) Bam Adebayo (13), and Sacha Killeya-Jones (1) who will all be attending the University of Kentucky pose for a group photo before the McDonald’s High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
The 2017 NBA Draft isn’t for roughly, oh, eight months, so why not get a jump on what the Chicago Bulls could look for at each position next June?
This season could be a pleasant surprise or a complete disaster for the 2016-17 Chicago Bulls. What about this current roster — that features two past-their-prime guards and a bunch of youth — says title contender?
Despite Dwyane Wade‘s encouraging, but unrealistic thoughts about the Bulls having a title-contender mentality this season, this isn’t a title team. It’s an organization in the midst of an important transition after one of the more successful spans in the history of the Bulls.
To be fair to the Bulls, they’ve looked to getting younger. The average age of the Bulls roster is 25.9 years old, which is ninth-best in the NBA (as of right now). But, they’re not exactly “more athletic” compared some of the other freakish athletes that teams have found in recent years.
That’ll be a key topic in this way-too-early breakdown of some 2017 draft prospects that the Bulls should have on their big board.
Pending on how things go for the Bulls this season, there’s an outside chance they could snag two lottery picks (yes, the Sacramento Kings pick is still owed to them). The rights are turned into a second-round pick if the Kings select inside the top 10 selections in June, which is likely to happen.
For each position, we’ll take a look at the best options for the Bulls in terms of fit, age, athleticism, etc.
First up: The point guards, better known as the most exciting position in this year’s draft.
(Player measureables gathered from DraftExpress.com unless otherwise noted.)
Mar 26, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All American guard Markelle Fultz (20) poses for photos on portrait day at the Marriott Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Point Guards
1. Markelle Fultz – Washington
Age: 18 years old
Measurements: 6’3.5″, 185 lbs.
High School: DeMatha Catholic
Wingspan: 6’9.75″
Standing Reach: 8’5.5″
To be clear, Markelle Fultz is a pipe dream for the Chicago Bulls in June more than anything. DraftExpress’s current No. 1 prospect and one of the players in contention for Pac-12 Player of the Year this season at Washington, Fultz could become the most exciting player in college basketball this year.
A slightly-under 6’4″ floor general with an almost seven-foot wingspan, Fultz not only has an NBA frame, he has the skills and growing athleticism to become the top pick in June’s draft. The Bulls would really have to put this season in tank to have a shot at Fultz. He’s that good and is going to get better and better.
The fluidity of his game is what makes Fultz so attractive as a prospect. He’s lengthy, he bounces off the floor with ease (as you’ll see below) and he’s just 18 years old. If the Bulls are very bad this season, they won’t be for too long if Fultz can somehow land in Chicago develops into the star he can be.
2. De’Aaron Fox – Kentucky
Age: 18 years old
Measurements: 6’2.25″, 185 lbs.
High School: Cypress Lakes
Wingspan: 6’4.5″
Standing Reach: 8’3″
If the Bulls were to land De’Aaron Fox with one of (or just a lone) first-round pick next June, the springy and wiry guard for the high-powered Kentucky Wildcats could be a good option.
He’s certainly not as big as Fultz, nor does he have the ceiling of the nation’s top prospect right now, but not many are as exciting as Fox is in the open floor.
He’s not only fast, he’s fun … and good lord, his hands are quick.
This tape was from a game Fox hit 10 (!) 3-pointers in for Cypress Lakes last season. Shooting is one of his concerns, but like another lefty guard that came from this mold of player — current New York Knicks guard Brandon Jennings — Fox has the ability to get really hot on some nights.
Plus, he’ll be under the wisdom of John Calipari this season in Lexington.
Calipari’s only coached Derrick Rose, Brandon Knight, John Wall, Tyler Ulis, Andrew Harrison and Tyreke Evans, so it’s safe to say he has experience with dynamic guards that may have some shooting troubles.
3. Lonzo Ball – UCLA
Age: 18 years old
Measurements: 6’6″, 195 lbs. (according to his team bio)
High School: Chino Hills
Wingspan: 6’7″ (per his 2014 measurements in HS)
Standing Reach: 8’4.5″ (per his 2014 measurements in HS)
There’s one word that describes Lonzo Ball as he heads to Westwood for what would many assume his lone year of college at UCLA: Intrigue.
This past summer, Danny Chau wrote a wonderful long-form piece for The Ringer on Lonzo, his father (and coach) LaVar, and Lonzo’s two brothers: LiAngelo and LaMelo. The focus was on the up-and-down, Warriors-like game the Ball family played at Chino Hills as the nation’s No. 1 team.
They liked to shoot it, and a lot of the time, all they needed to be was in the gym and they were in range for a shot.
Ball’s shot selection can become questionable at times, but in terms of shooters in one of the best draft classes in recent history, Ball could arguably be the best of the bunch.
Not only that, Ball’s game resembles two-time league MVP Stephen Curry for the fact that not only can he pull up from 30 feet out, he’ll drop no-look dimes on a defense without breaking a sweat.
Other names to keep your eyes on:
Next: Shooting Guards: Monk, 2K and Allen
Oct 14, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) dribbles the ball against guard Mychal Mulder (11) during Kentucky Midnight Madness at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Shooting Guards
1. Malik Monk – Kentucky
Age: 18 years old
Measurements: 6’2.25″, 197 lbs.
High School: Chino Hills
Wingspan: 6’3.5″
Standing Reach: 8’3″
There’s a legitimate chance that Kentucky will have the nation’s best backcourt duo with De’Aaron Fox and his running mate Malik Monk.
Neither player measure up to some of the other guards on the board, but together, they’re two bolts of lightning that can light anyone up on any given night.
Monk looks to score more often than not, but he can pass and pass with efficiency. His 8.2 assists per-40 minute number from the 2016 Global Challenge this past year is nothing to gawk at.
Like Fox, Monk is a bouncy guard with heaps of athleticism. If he gets into a shooting slump or two, he can find his way to the basket with ease. In terms of a pair of teammates this season, Fox and Monk might be appointment television for those that keep up with the college ranks.
If the Bulls are completely different again next season with Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade on one-year trial runs seemingly, Monk could slide right into the fray and compete for a starting job/rotation spot.
2. Terrance “2K” Ferguson
Age: 18 years old
Measurements: 6’7″, 186 lbs.
High School: Advanced Prep
Wingspan: 6’9.5″
Standing Reach: 8’7″
Terrance Ferguson earned the nickname “2K” because of his ability to leap above the rim and throw down dunks you only see in video games.
But, don’t let the dunk contest wins fool you.
Like Ball, Ferguson is one of the 2017 draft best shooters and he’ll get a headstart on his fellow classmates this season by playing professionally in Australia instead of attending Arizona under head coach Sean Miller.
When I personally sat down to watch Ferguson at this year’s Nike Hoop Summit for the dominant Team USA performance, I sat in awe of his ability to shoot from deep. He made seven 3-pointers in just 15 minutes on seven shot attempts.
The first thing I thought was, “He’s Trevor Ariza with a better shot and ridiculously more bounce.”
He’s not the defender Ariza has been in his NBA career, but at a skinny 6’7″ right now, he has the ability to not grow as an offensive player, his energy could turn him into a solid defender like Ariza someday, which would be good for the Bulls to finally have that “wing” they’ve been missing for years.
3. Grayson Allen – Duke
Age: 21 years old
Measurements: 6’4.5″ (with shoes), 189 lbs.
College: Duke University
Wingspan: 6’6.5″
Standing Reach: N/A
If you remember Christian Laettner’s days as the most hated man in college basketball during his four years at Duke, meet the exaggerated spawn of that legend.
Grayson Allen isn’t despised like Laettner was at Duke, but in this day and age, no player is hated more in the college ranks than the junior from Jacksonville, FL.
I’m personally not extremely high on Allen, but slot was given to Allen because of the fit with the Bulls. Think of him as a “more athletic” Doug McDermott, although McDermott has shown flashes of some bounce off the floor since last season.
The Bulls aren’t shy are taking experienced guys in the draft, based off taking Denzel Valentine at No. 14 this past June after four years at Michigan State. Allen’s a legitimate player in the ACC Player of the Year race, which based off the Valentine pick and the McDermott trade, the Bulls front office would not hesitate on making that clear in introducing him to the public as a Bull.
(There is the whole “Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski is good friends with Tom Thibodeau because of Team USA” thing, but that might be overthinking it a bit.)
As for his game, Allen does have some. He’s a tough, intense player that can shoot it from the perimeter, but isn’t afraid to get hit at the rim. He’s not a strong defender, but he provides offensive skills that would certainly intrigue Fred Hoiberg in taking him for his offensive attack.
Other names to keep your eyes on:
Part II of the “Way-Too-Early” big board coming this Saturday morning
With the release of our way-too-early big board on Friday featuring the backcourt positions, Saturday morning will bring the release of the frontcourt options for the Bulls.
In that breakdown, we’ll take a look at the small forward, power forward and center positions and how those prospects could find their way in Chicago next season.
Names that will be featured (to give you a sneak peek of what’s to come):
Along with the big board for the frontcourt slots, we’ll take a look at the what the Bulls could/should need and look for in the months leading into the 2017 draft.
The Bulls could have two first-round picks, but they sent their lone second-round pick in this upcoming draft to the New York Knicks in the Derrick Rose trade.
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