2017 NBA Draft

chikstrycharz

The Bulls, executive vice president John Paxson said Thursday night with the trade of Jimmy Butler, selected a direction. It likely will be down for a while. Though with the intention of rising higher. The rest awaits.

“What we’ve done tonight is set a direction,” Paxson with general manager Gar Forman told reporters after the blockbuster trade to get the No. 7 draft pick, Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine. “We’ve gone to the past where we make the playoffs, but not at the level we wanted to. You know in this league, success is not determined that way. We’ve decided to make the change and rebuild this roster. We’re going to do it with young players we believe can play a system Fred (Hoiberg, coach) is comfortable with. And we’re going to be disciplined and patient as we make decisions along the way. I think one of the big things when you set a course like this is the decision making is clearly defined. We will continue now to make decisions based on the direction we’ve chosen tonight.

“We are going to remain patient and disciplined,” Paxson insisted. “That’s the idea. The development of our young players is important and they’ve taken a huge step in this last month in being here and showing their commitment to getting better; the coaching staff has done a phenomenal job. They are committed to it. It’s been a really good environment around here and we are going to continue down that path. We have to be disciplined and patient. We are not going to right out the gate be throwing huge money at people. If there were a young player who we thought fit our future we would certainly look at that but that has to be the key.”

And so a new era begins for the Bulls, an official rebuilding. No one had a euphemism this time. No one mentioned the Chicago Cubs, but that’s the idea. The Cubs took several years of fan and media abuse and now can’t get them out of the parade route. The Bulls were hardly promising anything of the sort. And it’s much more difficult in basketball, where fewer teams ever have chances at the championship.

But what looked like a great run with Derrick Rose’s drafting in 2008 and effectively came to an end with his ACL tear in 2012--and then several meniscus tears—finally was stopped. It didn’t seem to have the legs anymore, nor the spirit or possibilities. It was nine years, and most of those considered among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps if they won once, or even got to a Finals. But when you come up short for that long, you eventually have to get the message. The Bulls did.

And the only true value they had remaining was with Butler. It had to be his sacrifice to begin a new path.

So there were plenty of questions remaining and Paxson and Forman addressed them:

Paxson: “It’s always difficult trade a player and person that has meant a lot to the organization and that we really watched grow as a player. Jimmy has improved as an individual as much as any guy, maybe, that we’ve been around. He took it upon himself to make himself a great player, which he’s done. Minnesota is obviously getting a heck of a player. Gar and I have spoken publicly about Jimmy many, many times; class person, great for our organization, he’ll be missed.”

Why do this now after saying after the season a rebuild was too difficult?

Paxson: “It wasn’t so much about watching anything in the playoffs as really this was the first opportunity we felt the deal presented itself that made sense. I said at the trade deadline this past year that we needed a certainty in terms of jump starting this thing. When you talk about certainty, you talk about young players, draft picks that give you a leg up on it. That presented itself late today. So the fact that we have three players now that are young. Zach just turned 22. Kris just turned 23 and Lauri just turned 20. Zach is rehabbing a knee injury, but we did our background on him. He’s coming along great. We anticipate he’s going to do just fine. Kris, even though he struggled last year, we were very high on him last year. He’s the fifth pick in the draft. So when you look at it, we got three lottery picks out of it and young guys we’re jump starting this thing with. It goes to the fact we’ve made some picks the last few years in our position and we’re going to add these guys to the mix. It is rebuilding. But for us, you understand it’s going to be difficult. There’s going to be a lot of bumps along the road. We’ve had eight young guys in our building the last three weeks who are starting to put in the time and the energy and they’re starting to pay attention to Fred (Hoiberg) and his coaching staff. Fred and his staff are doing a terrific job of really working with them and spending time with them. This is something we felt we had to do at this time.”

Paxson: “Anytime you have something like this you're going to follow doctors' advice, and the rehab thing. I think we would, in this type of thing, we'd err on the side of being cautious with him. We want him to come back healthy and ready to play. So the standard by which we determine the workload he gets by playing again, we'll be cautious.”

Forman: “I think we've got to get together and start planning for July 1 and then we'll answer that. We do have some roster spots still to look at and make a decision on. So we'll take a look at that and make a decision by the time we have to on June 30. I don't think we've made a decision at this point.”

Forman: “We contacted his agent right away before the draft had even started. I think Fred had texted him; we tried to call and couldn’t get him over there (vacationing now in Paris).”

Why did you sell your second round pick to the Warriors?

Paxson: “We had some wings on our board that we had targeted that were the only way we were going to keep that pick (believed to be SMU’s Semi Ojeleye, taken one pick earlier). And they went before us. And drafting Lauri and the fact that we have Niko (Mirotic) is a restricted free agent we intend to bring back, Bobby Portis; we didn’t want to add another big. And really, that’s all that was left on our board. And it keeps us now we’re at 12 roster spots; it gives us real flexibility with our roster. We didn’t want to just use up a roster spot on a player that we probably wouldn’t have kept.”

Paxson:  “There’s always risk in anything. But here’s a guy that’s 22 years old and averages 20 a game. He can score the basketball, he can run. He can shoot the basketball. He shot over 40 percent from three. That’s an area we’re deficient in. Markkanen shot over 40 from three in college. Again, it’s an area where we’re deficient. It’s trying to find the type of player that fits the way that we want to play going forward.”

Forman: “We had talked about when we met at the end of the season that if the right deal didn’t present itself that our team would come back probably very similar to last year’s team. We hadn’t determined we were going this direction. We were going to wait until we got a deal that jump started a rebuilding situation and getting the right assets. We felt the three players we got tonight was the best deal we had been presented and fit the direction we wanted to go.”

Paxson: “Gar and I have talked a lot about this as we’ve kind of studied teams that have rebuilt. You do need some veteran presence in the locker room and Dwyane is a pro; he’s seen a lot. We have yet to talk to him, but we will and we will explain everything to him and talk to him about it. He had the right to opt into the contract, which he did. We’ll talk to him and figure that out as well. But I do believe young guys still need examples of professionalism and Dwyane showed nothing but that around our young guys last year so I feel pretty good about that.I think if Dwyane had been really concerned about it (rebuilding) he might not have picked up his option before the draft. We talked about a lot of things and we talked about our young players with him. The bottom line tonight is we’ve chosen a direction we are confident in and comfortable with and we really believe it is the right thing for the organization to do at this time.”

How was negotiating with former coach Thibodeau?

Paxson: “It was great; there was no issues with us. This business is difficult and sometimes you have to make hard decisions. Things happen. Everything was fine. I give Tom a lot of credit; he was professional and I think handled it all really well. It’s great for them. They are in a position where they had drafts over the last number of years that have gotten them young talent, which is what we hope to do in the future and they had an opportunity to add a great player that’s going to help their basketball team. For us it sets our course and that’s what we need to do.”

hard-decisions-made-but-a-clear-direction-set

Hard Decisions Made But A Clear Direction Set

Sam Smith

They traded in his prime Jimmy Butler, one of the most decorated and honored players in franchise history, a three-time NBA All-Star and 2017 starter, 2016 Olympic gold medal winner, three-time all-defensive team player and the league’s 2015 Most Improved Player. Traded that guy?

Yes, and now the franchise can begin to see some light and a future again.

I know, I know, it’s the Bulls own web site, so what do you expect?

But last year when the Bulls traded Derrick Rose, I didn’t agree and said so. I’m never a big advocate, as well as it worked for the baseball Chicago Cubs and is in process for the White Sox, of stripping a team down to rebuild. Saw that with the Bulls in the early 2000s. It still gives us all nightmares.

So I wanted to see the last remaining elements of that group that looked like 2012 champions ride it out. Let Rose play out his deal; maybe extend Joakim Noah for a year; perhaps Pau Gasol. But it was time. I understood. The community had become injury and dashed hope weary.

But the Bulls decided to extend it for another year in a different form with Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Robin Lopez. Champion veterans; past their primes sure, but all to be supported by Butler.

The harsh truth of the Bulls gigantic trade, Butler and the No. 16 draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves for the No. 7 pick, Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine, was that the Bulls no longer had a path to anywhere significant and substantial. All they really had was Butler, who was too good to ever allow the Bulls to become too bad. And as the grinder he was as compared with the transcendent star athlete like Kevin Durant, LeBron James and perhaps even Russell Westbrook, he wasn’t quite good enough to carry the load even with some help. The team playing .500 ball without a playoff series win the last two years with Butler an All-Star and some decent supporting players (Gasol in 2015-16, Wade, Rondo and Lopez last season) suggested a ceiling.

Get into free agency again? We know how that’s gone, even if the Bulls have done OK with the signings of the likes of Ben Wallace, Carlos Boozer and Gasol. But never the true difference maker. Even if the Bulls had the cap room this summer, which they don’t, did they have a shot at Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Gordon Hayward? Then spending hundreds of millions of dollars on 30-year-old types like Kyle Lowry or Paul Millsap? Jrue Holiday? Serge Ibaka? George Hill?

Sixth in the East? Fifth? With the aging Wade and Rondo?

Plus, free agency is less certain than before with the new Collective Bargaining Agreement that increases even more the salaries for players to resign with their current teams. Sure, the Warriors landed Durant. But what did all those big money free agents from last season do? Luol Deng, Timofey Mozgov, Chandler Parsons, Evan Turner, Dwight Howard, Gasol, Courney Lee, Harrison Barnes, Jeremy Lin, Arron Afflalo, Al Horford, Eric Gordon, Dwyane Wade? Wade was rated by Sports Illustrated the 10th best free agent last summer.

Sure, maybe pile on another guy and see if he could do something. But where were you going? And now Jimmy was closing in on 30 after next season when he’d be eligible for a contract worth more than $200 million and the team pretty much locked in to him being the centerpiece moving forward. Look, Jimmy is terrific. As Bulls vice president John Paxson said in post trade comments Thursday night at the Advocate Center, few players ever have advanced themselves as far as Butler has through sheer determination and work ethic.

But sometimes it only gets a team so far, and it’s difficult to see where the Bulls would have gone from there.

Plus, the unhappy reality is the community had noticed. TV and radio ratings suffered; even the closeout playoff game at home against the Celtics in April seemed an anticlimax. Who was excited to see this group return again in this form? And who believed it had a bright future?

It was a community demanding it was time to do something.

Of course, they have to get it right now, but it was a start.

The Bulls have several young players from recent drafts, though basically none were lottery picks.

They got two Thursday in seven-foot shooting big man Lauri Markkanen and point guard Kris Dunn, the No. 5 pick from last year’s draft whom the Bulls pursued then and almost began a rebuilding. But they decided they had enough to make one more run led by Butler. Butler asked the Bulls to let him recruit Wade, and the Bulls agreed.

But the two never could really connect on the floor, mostly taking turns with their offense and the team eventually having its best run of the season late in the year when Wade was out injured.

Dunn was a limited reserve for former Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau in Minnesota, though we know Thibodeau doesn’t like to feature his reserves. So the Bulls get a strong defensive oriented point guard and big man shooter lottery picks. Then there’s LaVine, a 2014 lottery pick who was breaking out as a shooting guard and slam dunk champion before an ACL injury last winter. He’s in rehabilitation and the Bulls will work with him to return perhaps late in the 2017-18 season. They said they were confident he is progressing appropriately.

Which makes the possibility of a core of three lottery picks with athletes and three-point shooting, previous weaknesses. Then it’s unlikely the Bulls are a playoff team this season, which means another lottery pick in 2018. So, yes, as Paxson says, the building is on them. But there at least appears to be a foundation.

And they get to begin to work in first round picks like Denzel Valentine, Bobby Portis, Paul Zipser, Jerian Grant, take a look at Cameron Payne, perhaps bring back free agent Nikola Mirotic. With the trade of Butler, the Bulls get a substantial salary cap exception and with Wade going off the books after this season and perhaps Rajon Rondo this summer and certainly next, the Bulls will be well below the salary cap.

They aren’t going to pursue veteran free agents this summer, but maybe add a young player who fits if one becomes available.

The Bulls had been mired in a slower style game given a general lack of athletic players and three point shooting. They thus begin to address those weaknesses and finally give coach Fred Hoiberg a chance to coach his style of open court play with movement and passing and shooting.

It’s going to mean a losing season, and Minnesota gets the best player in the deal, which makes them the immediate winner. Butler joining Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins could be a huge boost for the Timberwolves.

But the Bulls now have a future and not just a past.

it-was-time-trade-analysis

"It Was Time": Trade Analysis

Bulls.com

The old guys—like, well, you know who—think of Mel Counts. How about Bill Laimbeer? Brad Lohaus? Jack Sikma? To the evolution of Ryan Anderson and Kristaps Porzingis?

Somewhere in there, and the Bulls hope beyond, may be Lauri Markkanen, the No. 7 selection in Thursday’s NBA draft. He came to the Bulls Thursday as part of the Jimmy Butler trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Bulls also obtained point guard Kris Dunn and shooting guard Zach LaVine, who is out injured now after an ACL tear last February.

“I’m just excited to get to Chicago,” Markkanen said in New York after the selection was confirmed as a trade to the Bulls. “I’m going to bring a lot of energy and I can do things for the team and not just shooting the ball. I can stretch the floor a lot and I can help the team on rebounding. A lot of things."

In comments on the telephone (no confirmation on whether it was a cell) to reporters in Chicago after the draft, a laconic Markkanen said in response to a question: “Strength? Definitely ability to stretch the floor, make shots and help the team. That’s my biggest strength.

“I’m trying to be a compete player, but my main thing is to stay in the weight room and get stronger,” said Markkanen. “(I’ve) actually never been in Chicago. Will be my first time and looking forward to it. Definitely a little bit of a surprise (to be traded to the Bulls). I’m definitely happy to be there.

“I’ve been working on my shot for shooting NBA threes,” said Markkanen. “I can make that shot, I would say, better than college threes; it’s not a problem for me. I’ve been playing lot different ways; however coach wants me to play. That’s how I am going to play.

“I know it’s an historic (Bulls) organization and I’m  extremely proud to be a part of that,” Markkanen said. “Looking forward to be there.”

Markkanen, a seven footer who is about 225 pounds, just turned 20 last month. He is a native of Finland, the third Finnish player to be in the NBA. The previous was Erik Murphy, briefly with the Bulls as a little used reserve.

But Markkanen is a high level prospect who was a critical player for an excellent Arizona team as a freshman. He averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds. He shot 42.3 percent on three pointers as the elite big man shooter in college. He was about 84 percent on free throws playing primarily outside and on pick and pop type play.

His father, Pekka Markkanen, played at Kansas under Roy Williams and then in Europe. Lauri averaged more than 20 points for his native team in Finland before spending one season with the U. of Arizona.

Markannen is something of a new age NBA player, not physical or particularly strong for a seven footer, and also not a post player. That’s not the NBA game anymore. Markannen is unusually agile for a big man shooting off the catch and over screens. He’s not a great athlete, but he’s competent on defense in being able to blitz or hedge on screens. He’s not going to be an isolation type offensive player or a great rebounder or rim protector. Likely more of an offensive threat with enough quickness to chase out on defense and cover with his size.

“Lauri Markkanen is a very good basketball player,” said Bulls executive vice president John Paxson. “We’re really excited about his potential; as good a big man shooter, maybe as good a shooter that was in the draft this year. And the way our game is going, those big mobile guys that can space the floor give your guards opportunity to create and find gaps. It’s an important piece. It’s all about building the type of team that you want. And we’ve been able to reset that, and we’re going to go about it in that fashion.”

lauri-markkanen-a-big-piece-to-the-puzzle

Lauri Markkanen: A Big Piece To The Puzzle

childukich

June 22, 2017 - The Chicago Bulls announced today that the team has acquired guards Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine (luh-VEEN), as well as No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft Lauri Markkanen (LAU-ree MARK-a-nin) from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for guard/forward Jimmy Butler and the No. 16 overall pick Justin Patton in tonight’s Draft.

Dunn (6-4, 205), selected fifth overall by the Timberwolves in the 2016 NBA Draft, appeared in 78 games and averaged 3.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 17.1 minutes per game last season. Dunn won back-to-back Big East Player of the Year awards while at Providence (2014-15 and 2015-16). He averaged 15.6 points and 7.5 assists in his junior season, and finished with 16.4 points and 6.2 assists in his senior season.

LaVine (6-5, 185), picked 13th overall by Minnesota in the 2014 NBA Draft, averaged 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 47 games last season. LaVine shot .459 from the field, .387 from long range and .836 from the foul line. For his career, LaVine is averaging 13.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 206 games and shooting .445 overall, .378 from 3-point range and .821 from the stripe. After his first year in the league, LaVine was named to the 2014-15 All-Rookie Second Team.

Markkanen (7-0, 230), the seventh overall selection in this year’s Draft, averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in his one season at Arizona. Markkanen posted shooting marks of .492 from the field, .423 from distance and .835 from the foul line. The Finland native was named Third-Team All-American by the Associated Press, Sporting News and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, and First-Team All-Pac-12 last season. Over the last 25 years, Markkanen and Kevin Durant are the players to record at least 69 3-pointers and 266 rebounds in their freshman year.

Butler (6-7, 231) was selected 30th overall by Chicago in the 2011 NBA Draft. A three-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA All-Defensive Team honoree, Butler has posted career averages of 15.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.46 steals in 399 games. He was named the 2014-15 Most Improved Player and was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2016-17. In 38 career playoff games, Butler averaged 16.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.58 steals. Butler was a member of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Basketball Team that won the gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in the 2016 Summer Games. Butler ranks in the top 10 in multiple Bulls franchise records, including free throws made (ninth), free throw attempts (ninth) and steals (seventh).

bulls-acquire-dunn-lavine-and-markkanen-from-minnesota

Bulls acquire Dunn, LaVine and Markkanen from Minnesota

Philadelphia: Markelle Fultz. So he better be all that. May well be. Second straight No. 1 overall for the 76ers. Said to also love cheesesteaks. Though the frenzy Thursday among many NBA executives was trying to move into the top five to select Kansas' Josh Jackson. Could 76ers' process include trying to trade him and Ben Simmons for picks?

LA Lakers: The first player selected since Jon Barry whose father is getting more attention. Great hoop name, though, like Magic. Not sure they're back quite yet, but he's the anti-dad, unselfish, popular with teammates, enhancing others. He'll make Brook Lopez look great.

Boston: Danny Ainge did it again, passing the guy who is supposed to be better, at least a  bit, Josh Jackson. But Tatum is good and a scorer, so perhaps fitting the Celtics better. The Celtics are planning to retire Tatum's number this season as they try to find out if they have any numbers left.

Phoenix: Seemed like Phoenix was going to make a trade, but this guy makes the sun come out with his all around talents. Perhaps he makes the Suns rise. Five years from now many NBA guys predict he'll be the best from this draft. I predict it will be 2022.

Sacramento: A foxy selection? I promise to do better. Really like this guy. Fast, aggressive, committed, concerned, unselfish. Sort of the anti-DeMarcus Cousins. Vlade for exec of the year? He's so good did you see the way this kid dribbles left handed?

Orlando: Some GMs say he'll eventually be the draft's best given his size and athletic ability. Hey, didn't someone say that about Jackson? Not another ESPN broadcast with every player the greatest. Appears to be the core of the Magic's fourth rebuilding since Shaq left.

Minnesota: He's an outstanding shooting big man, a native of Finland who, according to sources could be going to the Bulls in trade. If that occurs, he'd surpass Erik Murphy as the best ever Fin to play for the franchise. Has to be his highlight. He's a four/five who was as good as any big man in college stepping out to shoot threes. Given where Finland is, he may be one of the few people in the world who looked to go to Minneapolis or Chicago to get warmer in winter.

New York: Still hoping to erase the memory of former No. 1 pick from France Frederic Weis. Frank's going to have New Yorkers calling them French fries again. A big point guard who may be somewhere between Clyde Frazier and Charlie Ward

New York: Hard not to predict greatness for a Smith. He's hardly a common guy. Will be very interesting to see as execs say he may be the most athletic guy in the draft; a little small, but great leaper and offensive player. Dennis could be some menace.

Sacramento: Impressive big man who is unusually mobile, quick and a good shooter. Supposed to be traded to Portland, which starts to give them the makings of a nice starting five with last season's addition of Jusuf Nurkic. I'm not mentioning what happens to Portland big men. Good luck, kid.

Charlotte: Finally Michael Jordan gets to see what a great shooting guard looks like. With Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum and Dwight Howard, they have something with Monk. Not sure what, but it may be worth looking at.

Detroit: They're yelling Luuuuuuuukkkkkkkeee, not...Well, the Pistons have other issues. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope might be wondering what this means for his free agency. With Pistons moving downtown Detroit next season, maybe they just don't tell Caldwell-Pope where they moved. Always happened to me as a kid.

Denver: Said to be going to Utah for the No. 24 and Trey Lyles. Super athletic guy. Jazz not quite sure historically what that looks like.

Miami: Big guy in the spirit of Alonzo Mourning, physical, angrily dunking; not snarling quite as much. Bam!

Portland: Supposedly going to Sacramento in trade. Stable, serious, hard working, intelligent, reliable player. For Sacramento?

Chicago: Big guy who apparently will go to the Timberwolves in the proposed trade with the Bulls. Is this the end for Karl-Anthony Towns?

Milwaukee: Another long armed exciting guy for Milwaukee to match the reputation of the community

Indiana:Paul George commits himself to Pacers for life. Said he never believed Leaf could fall to them.

Atlanta:Another team basically rebuilding. The next Dwight Howard? The next Mike Muscala?

Portland:Supposed to be going to Kings in trade. A guy who was regarded as a potential best talent in college, but has had injuries. Hey, what's with all the Duke guys and they couldn't do anything in the tournament? Coaching?

Oklahoma City:A spot up shooter to play with Russ. Makes sense. Watch out Stockton, Russ is going for the assist record, too

Brooklyn:A spot up shooter to play with Russ. Makes sense. Watch out Stockton, Russ is going for the assist record, too

Toronto:Good risk pick. May not even play this season, but highly regarded as a defender and shooter. Can relax and enjoy Toronto winter.

Utah:After losing a Trey, seemed vital to get back a Tyler.

Orlando:After losing a Trey, seemed vital to get back a Tyler.

LA Lakers:He has to be part of the Kyle Korver family since they're all named with Ks. PLayed for Krystkowiak. Figured. Versatile offensive guy.

Utah:Moved on to the Jazz, who are stocking some nice young men.

San Antonio:Moved on to the Jazz, who are stocking some nice young men.

LA Lakers:Moved onto the Lakers. ABC-TV excited as they could revive the old Hart to Hart TV series.

pick-by-pick-analysis-2017-nba-draft

Pick-by-pick analysis - 2017 NBA Draft

The NBA has gone nuts. It is a beautiful thing. Will anything actually occur before the Thursday 3 p.m. trade deadline leading up to the NBA draft? There’s often much more talk than action in what one NBA executive is calling, “activity before achievement.”

But suddenly in the last few days, it’s like the projected top five picks are some combination of the 1960s Celtics and the Dream Team. General managers have been dangling All-Stars and Olympians as if this draft class will become the Golden State Warriors. One team executive said the Warriors even were in the bidding, though it was unclear if it involved one of their main four. Goodbye, Draymond Green? Nah.

Really, who knows with the frenzy that’s been going on involving rumors with the likes of Jimmy Butler, Paul George, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan, Andre Drummond, Kristaps Porzingis, half the Houston roster and various Boston Celtics. Executives and agents are saying teams like the Heat, Spurs and Thunder also have been significantly involved in trying to land a high lottery pick while first round picks have been widely available as Portland owns three, the Lakers now a pair after trading D’Angelo Russell for Brook Lopez and Orlando and Utah with multiple picks.

Is there going to be a main course of beefy trades and a star shakeup Thursday? Or is it going to be just another empty feeling?

We do know there is going to be a draft with coverage from the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn starting on ESPN at 6 p.m. Central.

1. Philadelphia 76ers (from Celtics). Markelle Fultz, Washington point guard, freshman, 6-4, 195. It’s consecutive No. 1 overall picks and Joel Embiid. Does this make it a city of brotherly love again for basketball fans? His college team wasn’t even close to .500. Does it matter? The next can’t miss guy.

2. Los Angeles Lakers. Lonzo Ball, UCLA point guard, freshman, 6-7, 190. If anyone can out talk the dad it’s Magic Johnson. Enough with the family. Is he the next Magic? Good enough to appeal to LeBron next summer? Better be better than D’Angelo Russell.

3. Boston Celtics (from 76ers). Jayson Tatum, Duke small forward, freshman, 6-8, 205. Everyone thought Jaylen Brown was a reach last year at No. 3 for Boston, and he turned out OK. Boston got a future No. 1 in addition to the No. 1 they get from the Nets also in 2018. Really, that can’t be the plan. At least not if they want to compete before 2022. Tatum’s considered a ready offensive player, so maybe as they do need scoring.

4. Phoenix Suns. Josh Jackson, Kansas small forward, freshman, 6-8, 200. Another of those teams that, really, are going to take another kid? A very good one, sure, and another more ready to play guy who’s considered a potentially top defender and playmaker. They’ve been in the middle of just about all the trade talks as they’ve also been dangling the pick to unload contracts.

5. Sacramento Kings. (from 76ers). De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky point guard, freshman, 6-3, 170. If the Suns happen to decide for a dynamic backcourt with he and Kentucky’s Devin Booker, then the Kings could panic and trade their Nos. 5 and 10 to move ahead to get Fox. He’s a jet who seems ideal for this NBA era, though not with the great shot yet. And a rivalry waiting with Ball to at least let the dads fight it out.

6. Orlando Magic.  Jonathan Isaac, Florida State power forward, freshman, 6-10, 205. Time to start the next five-year plan. It’s new management with long term deals and not exactly committed to anyone on the roster. Let the dealing begin. Some scouts say he could eventually be one of the best from this draft with Kevin Garnett abilities. Yes, we hear that often.

7. Minnesota Timberwolves. Lauri Markkanen, Arizona power forward, freshman, 7-0, 225. This is Thibs first real draft as gm, so is he wheeling and dealing? For all the second guessing he supposedly did when he was Bulls coach, well, now it’s time. He’s yet another executive supposedly sniffing the top five. OK, put up. This guy is the safe pick, big guy who can shoot well with a team of big guys who can shoot well.

8. New York Knicks. Frank Ntilikina, France point guard, freshman (well, 18 years old), 6-5, 180. You know Phil loves the continent. They don’t figure to bring back Derrick Rose and while Ntilikina isn’t one of those super athlete guards, he’s more old school (triangle) reliable and versatile. Figure local draft fans start booing early.

9. Dallas Mavericks. Dennis Smith, North Carolina State point guard, freshman. 6-3, 190. One of those super athlete types like a Steve Francis. A bit small and some teams scared off by a sometime indifferent attitude. Yet, one of those guys who could make everyone wonder in two years why they thought so much more of Fultz and Ball.

10. Sacramento Kings (from Pelicans). Zach Collins, Gonzaga power forward, freshman, 7-0, 235. He’s a very intriguing big man who moves well and seems only have begun to find his way having played little in college. He could adapt the quickest of the big guys in this draft and move ahead of their big men, who are not much offensively with the trade of DeMarcus Cousins.

11. Charlotte Hornets. Malik Monk, Kentucky shooting guard, freshman, 6-4, 200. How do you replace Marco Belinelli? Not easy, as everyone knows. But you move on. This could be a wild bunch with Dwight Howard now at center. Sort of like Washington getting Jordan. Just a decade too late. Monk’s considered the best shooter and watching Michael Kidd-Gilchrist all this time he’s welcome.

12. Detroit Pistons. Luke Kennard, Duke shooting guard, sophomore, 6-6, 205. Anyone want Reggie Jackson? Drummond? Kentavious Caldwell-Pope? Why not take a shooter cheap? After all, why pay free agent Caldwell-Pope all that and what do you have to show for it. Coach Stan Van Gundy is said to be furious with the gm. Oh, yeah. That never works well, Right, Doc? Look for the Pistons also to be active in trade with the big payroll and little to show for it.

13. Denver Nuggets. Donovan Mitchell, Louisville shooting guard, sophomore, 6-3, 210. Fits their mile high profile of a great athlete who will run you until you tire. Putting together some good young players, but can you make much of a move that way in the West? They’re working on four straight years out of the playoffs with a lot of West teams filled with good, young players. So what to do?

14. Miami Heat. Justin Jackson, North Carolina small forward, junior, 6-7, 220. May lose James Johnson in free agency and Miami likes those ready to play guys, and he’s one. Not the great athlete, but smart, skilled and high character and serious. They’re more interested in free agency, anyway, and not much into projects.

15. Portland Trail Blazers. John Collins, Wake Forest power forward, sophomore, 6-9, 225. This is the third level of this draft basically starting with Miami’s pick. They have three firsts, so it’s difficult to say how many they’ll use. They’ve been mostly trying to peddle some firsts to get teams to take contracts. They made a nice addition with center Jusuf Nurkic last season and can use some young big guys. This part of the draft will feature a run of big men, somewhat raw but athletic.

16. Bulls. Edrice “Bam” Adebayo. Kentucky center, freshman, 6-9, 245. A bit undersized, but an impressive physical specimen and so powerful he’s sort of scary attacking the rim. Finally, a Bulls player who can dunk. Reminds me a little of that Suns sub big man Alan Williams, who came in and knocked over Bulls like in a super hero movie. But better than that guy. Most of the mock drafts have him lower and into the 20s, likely because of limited shooting. The physical presence seems too good to pass up.

17. Milwaukee Bucks. Harry Giles, Duke center, freshman, 6-10, 232. He’s a big time risk given a pair of ACL surgeries before college. That was when he was considered a  future No. 1 overall pick. The Bucks have some time with Jabari Parker recovering from his own ACL, but big risk/big reward. If he hits, it could be very big.

18. Indiana Pacers. OG Anunoby, Indiana small forward, sophomore, 6-8, 235. He had ACL surgery, so is not ready to play. And with the Paul George likely trade, they’re ready to start again. He’d be much higher if not for the injury, a top notch potential defender who is long with an NBA physical body.

19. Atlanta Hawks. Jarrett Allen, Texas center, freshman, 6-10, 235. Another of those athletic big guys, long, active and defensive oriented. Also won’t be as annoying as Dwight Howard. Looks like a rebuilding there, which makes you wonder about Paul Millsap. Would seem he’ll be a top target in free agency.

20. Portland Trail Blazers (from Grizzlies). T.J. Leaf, UCLA power forward, freshman, 6-10, 222. A good shooting big man who can step away and make a shot. Their second pick, so who knows exactly if there’s a plan. Figure they’ll be in search for those guys who may slip through. You know, best player available and couldn’t believe he’d be available when we picked.

21. Oklahoma City Thunder. Terrance Ferguson, Australia shooting guard, freshman, 6-7, 185. Not actually Australian, mate, but went to make some money instead of taking some money in college. He’s an excellent athlete who doesn’t handle the ball that great, but is terrific as a catch and shoot, especially so young. Sounds just what you’d want with Russell Westbrook.

22. Brooklyn Nets (from Wizards). Justin Patton, Creighton center, freshman, 6-11, 230. Another of those top athlete big men who aren’t ready, and neither are they. He’s taller than the others and they’ve just dealt Brook Lopez. Though they have plenty of positions to fill. Runs the court intensely and it all starts with kids.

23. Toronto Raptors (from Clippers). Anzejs Pasecniks, Latvia center, senior (21 years old) 7-2, 230. Well, they are a foreign country. Maybe worth a chance as the top guys at this point are inexperienced defensive big men. He’s a buddy of Porzingis and said to have some of the same offensive abilities.

24. Utah Jazz. Ike Anigbogu, UCLA center, freshman, 6-10, 250. Physical big man with a long wingspan who hits the boards hard. Could make sense as a backup to the more mobile Rudy Gobert.

25. Orlando Magic (from Raptors).  Semi Ojeleye, SMU small forward, junior, 6-7, 240. An intriguing prospect who does a lot of things well. A bit of a tweener at forward, which isn’t such a big deal in this switching NBA. Shoots well, physical, can handle the ball. Could be a surprise.

26. Portland Trail Blazers (from Cavaliers). Isaiah Hartenstein, Germany center, 7-0, 235. Left handed big man who is physically imposing. Reasonably skilled and a fluid player who is a decent athlete. Their third selection and if they were to keep them all it would be a heck of a training camp at center.

27. Los Angeles Lakers (from Nets). D.J. Wilson, Michigan power forward, sophomore, 6-11, 235. Big man who came on late and showed varied skills and good shooting. Of course, with Magic Johnson from Michigan State uncertain about if he still holds a grudge.

28. Los Angeles Lakers (from Rockets). Kyle Kuzma, Utah power forward, junior, 6-10, 225. Stretch four who moves well and plays hard, though few expect the Lakers to keep both picks. That’s guaranteed contracts and they’re clearing room for next summer, presumably. He’s agile and a good prospect.

29. San Antonio Spurs. Ivan Rabb, California center, sophomore, 6-10, 220. Mobile big man who can play inside. Of course, they like to surprise.

30. Utah Jazz (from Warriors). Tyler Lydon, Syracuse power forward, sophomore, 6-9, 215. Good all around offensive player with an ability to be a stretch four, thin but long.

So who does everyone else say the Bulls will select with the No. 16 pick? Here’s a look around at mock drafts and their speculation regarding the Bulls Thursday. The consensus, if there is any, is the Bulls will select one of the athletic big men.

ESPN: John Collins, Wake Forest forward/center.

Seth’s Draft House: Bam Adebayo, Kentucky forward/center

NBAdraft.net: Jarrett Allen, Texas center

DraftExpress: Justin Jackson, North Carolina small forward

Sports Illustrated: T.J. Leaf, UCLA power forward

Basketball Insiders: OG Anunoby, Indiana power forward

CBS Sports: Justin Jackson, North Carolina small forward

NBA.com: Luke Kennard, Duke shooting guard

Hoopshype: D.J. Wilson, Michigan small forward

WalterFootball.com: Jarrett Allen, Texas center

Fox Sports: Luke Kennard, Duke shooting guard

MyNBADraft.com: Justin Patton, Creighton center

Tankathon: Justin Patton, Creighton center

Sporting News: OG Anunoby, Indiana power forward

CSNNE.com: Luke Kennard, Duke shooting guard

Aseaofblue.com: Terrance Ferguson, Australia shooting guard

AZCentral.com: John Collins, Wake Forest forward/center

SB Nation: D.J. Wilson, Michigan small forward

Bleacher Report: John Collins, Wake Forest forward/center

USA Today: Justin Jackson, North Carolina small forward

Yahoo Sports: T.J. Leaf, UCLA power forward

NBA-TV: OG Anunoby, Indiana power forward

sam-smiths-2017-mock-draft

Sam Smith's 2017 Mock Draft

It could be an exciting Thursday for the Bulls. Maybe not as exciting as when Cheers and Seinfeld were on Thursday, but big. It’s the NBA draft, and the Bulls again have been the subject of a considerable amount of rumors, speculation, promise and distortion.

Last year at the draft, Derrick Rose was traded in a package that included center Robin Lopez. Which thus meant the departures of Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. So change has been the team’s ongoing constant.

If there is another big change in the hours leading up to Thursday’s draft, there’s been conjecture the Bulls could end up with a high draft pick.

With Boston’s trade earlier this week of the No. 1 overall pick in the draft to the Philadelphia 76ers for No. 3 and future picks, the top two picks of the draft seem set, most analysts agree.

The 76ers have made it clear they intend to take Washington point guard Markelle Fultz with the No. 1 pick. The Lakers signed LeBron James. Oh, not yet?

That’s the uninformed reckoning now for the Lakers the way they did for Shaq in the mid-1990s by starting to deal away salaries to create salary cap room for the summer of 2018. The Lakers traded former foundation point guard D’Angelo Russell, taken No. 2 in 2015, and Timofey Mozgov’s crippling contract to the Nets for Brook Lopez going into his final season. They are said to be trying to put together another deal for Indiana’s Paul George and then to use this year’s No. 2 overall pick on UCLA’s Lonzo Ball.

Is that enough to lure LeBron next year if things don’t go right in Cleveland?

There’ll be a whole year to make up stuff about that.

It’s 24/7/365 of rumors and speculation, a sports fans’ fantasy.

Now comes the Celtics, and despite what they said, no one thinks the next two guys are as good as the first guy. And you just don’t give up the top pick in the draft for more draft picks. Unless you are going to pass them off to someone for veteran players. It seems Boston’s priorities may have changed since February when they were telling every team it was a once in a generation chance to have the top pick and were not making a trade. Perhaps getting to the Eastern Conference finals and then seeing the Cavaliers vulnerable in the Finals and suddenly without top management for no clear reason persuaded them it’s time. And that another young kid doesn’t get them closer for awhile. So will the Celtics parley their picks into a top talent and then add another in free agency this summer? And then watch out LeBron! Better go to the Western Conference if you want to win. Well, maybe not, but the Cavs could be vulnerable right now.

Similarly with the Phoenix Suns with the No. 4 selection. They’ve won fewer than 30 games three of the last five seasons and missed the playoffs the last seven years. They’ve averaged 33 wins in the four years with their new management team that is going into its final seasons of their contracts. Time to make a move? Save a job?

There also have been theories that the Sacramento Kings with Nos. 5 and 10 want to cash both those picks in for a top five. And Dwight Howard, who was supposed to save the Lakers just a few years ago, was dealt Tuesday to the Charlotte Hornets for one of the many Plumlees being traded around most every year. Hey, Michael got an all-NBA center. Three years ago. Is the NBA running out of stars?

After Fultz and Ball, the general consensus has been you could have star talent with Josh Jackson of Kansas, Jayson Tatum of Duke, De’Aaron Fox of Kentucky and perhaps Jonathan Isaac of Florida State. That’s said to be the top talent in this draft with the second level starting next at No. 7. That would run through No. 11 with another apparent separation there.

So if you could get the No. 3 or No. 4 draft pick, whom would you select?

Fox is a jet quick point guard with big time athletic abilities, though not much of a shot yet. Plus, he is a bit skinny. Of course, so were Larry Bird and Magic Johnson at that age. Jackson and Tatum are small forwards with Jackson rated a bit higher. Jackson’s the better defender, a versatile all around talent who is more athletic and a good playmaker, though not quite the offensive player compared with the Harrison Barnesesque type in Tatum. Isaac is taller, around 6-10 with athletic abilities and a competent shot. Several are considered future NBA All-Stars. But which ones?

As for the Bulls, this is what we do know: They have the No. 16 selection in the first round of the NBA draft. They also have No. 38 in the second round, but it’s too confusing by then. So I’ll take a look at the group from which the Bulls first round draft pick this season is most likely to come.

One of those big, lanky guys more suited to defense. A long wingspan of about 7-5 and a decent mid range shooting game. Thin and somewhat raw.

Justin Patton, Creighton center, 6-11, 230.

Another good athletic big man with some versatility and quickness, but also somewhat saw and skinny and needing to develop to play against NBA big men. Another of those high upside young big men.

John Collins, Wake Forest center, 6-10, 225.

Yet another athletic big man with primarily inside skills. Somewhat raw, though it generally takes big men longer to fit in for an NBA team.

Edrice “Bam” Adebayo, Kentucky center, 6-10, 245.

More of a physical specimen who is dunking everything. And hard. A broadcaster’s dream being able to say “bam” every time. Not a good shooter who also is raw in basketball ability. Some say the next Tristan Thompson.

Justin Jackson, North Carolina forward, 6-7, 220.

Not bad, but not the really good Jackson. One of those closest to ready players. Not a great athlete, but an excellent all around player who can shoot well. Player of the Year type who is very bright.

Luke Kennard, Duke shooting guard, 6-5, 200.

Not quite the Thon Maker jump from last year’s draft, but has moved up perhaps the most in the last few months because of his excellent shooting. Expected to be selected just before the Bulls pick, but there always are surprises. Pros wonder if he can defend enough not being quick.

Donovan Mitchell, Louisville shooting guard, 6-3, 210.

Also expected to be taken just before the Bulls select in that so called third group of players. One of the better athletes in the draft as a wing player. Incredible leaper with a long wingspan to make up for his smallish size for shooting guard. Improving shooter and excellent defender.

A good shooter who was likened to Nikola Mirotic by some scouts. Not a great athlete, but more skilled with an inside and outside shooting game.

Terrance Ferguson, Australia shooting guard, 6-7, 185.

Skipped college to play a year in Australia. An excellent shooter and athlete.

It seems most likely the Bulls selection will come from that group. Unless something else happens.