Chicago selections:
No. 2 (to POR): LaMarcus Aldridge | Forward | 6-11 | 240
No. 16 (to PHI): Rodney Carney | Forward | 6-7 | 205

No. 4 (from POR): Tyrus Thomas | Forward | 6-9 | 220
No. 13 (from PHI): Thabo Sefolosha | Guard | 6-5 | 215

After selecting LaMarcus Aldridge with the second overall pick in NBA Draft 2006, the Bulls later traded Aldridge and a future second round pick to the Portland Trail Blazers for LSU forward Tyrus Thomas and forward Viktor Khryapa. Known for his incredible athleticism, the 6-9 Thomas averaged 12.3 ppg and 9.2 rebounds as a redshirt freshman last season and led his school to the Final Four.

Later in the evening, the Bulls acquired the rights to Thabo Sefolosha, a 6-5 guard selected 13th overall by Philadelphia, in exchange for Rodney Carney, picked at 16th by Chicago, a 2007 second round selection and cash considerations.

With NBA Draft 2006 right around the corner, Bulls general manager John Paxson met with the media one final time before making his selections (2nd and 16th overall). From discussing the draft’s top candidates, including LaMarcus Aldridge, Tyrus Thomas and Brandon Roy, to trade talk surrounding Ben Gordon, Paxson covers it all in this two-part segment.

How does watching Magic Johnson lead a Bulls fastbreak sound? Or seeing Larry Bird unleash twine-tickling threes for the beloved red, white and black in the old Chicago Stadium? Both of those could have happened if a little break had gone the Bulls way in years past.

Tyrus Thomas: There’s an ongoing theme that you can’t seem to get away from when talking with 19-year old Tyrus Thomas, and it’s one that is music to the ears of John Paxson and Scott Skiles. Whether it’s fine-tuning his mid-range jumper, improving his ballhandling skills or just logging some extra court time, the former LSU star is all about one thing: hard work.

You had size with Texas big man LaMarcus Aldridge; LSU’s Tyrus Thomas’ has athleticism and potential; Washington guard Brandon Roy is a big guard and he’s NBA-ready. Click here now to read up on all of the NBA Draft’s top prospects, from Hassan Adams to Sheldon Williams.

NBA Draft Fan Forum: Who wanted to play GM for a day? A ton of Bulls fans, that's who! Everyone had their opinions about what the Bulls should do with their picks in this year’s NBA Draft. Simply click here now to see what several Chicago fans' pre-draft ideas were.

Paxson

As a result of the 2006 NBA Draft Lottery, the Chicago Bulls claimed the No. 2 pick for the 2006 NBA Draft. The Bulls received the pick on Oct. 4, 2005 in their five-player trade with the New York Knicks.

"We already have a good young core and we like the way our guys play," stated Bulls Executive VP – Basketball Operations John Paxson. "We need size and we need athleticism and I'm thrilled that we have the second pick in the draft. We'll get a very good player there."

With the No. 2 selection, and their own first-round pick at No. 16, Chicago was one of six NBA teams (Portland No. 4 & No. 30, New Orleans/Oklahoma City No. 12 & No. 15, New York No. 20 & No. 29, Phoenix No. 21 & No. 27 and New Jersey No. 22 & No. 23) that owned multiple first-round picks.