NBA Draft

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Draft Night: Julian Phillips

Bulls.com

The Chicago Bulls have agreed to a trade in principle to acquire the draft rights to Julian Phillips, the No. 35 selection in the 2023 NBA Draft, from Washington. The trade is not yet final.

Phillips, 6-8, 198, averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 24.1 minutes through 32 games (25 starts) during his lone season at Tennessee. Phillips scored in double figures in 13 games, including a career-high 25 points to go along with eight rebounds against USC on Nov. 24 which helped lead to a 2022-23 Battle 4 Atlantis All-Tournament Team selection. He had two double-doubles and grabbed double-digit rebounds in three contests in 2022-23.

Phillips went on to earn All-SEC Freshman Team honors – ranking sixth in the SEC in defensive rating (91.1) and free-throw shooting percentage (.822). Phillips was the only Tennessee player during the 2022-23 season to record at least 20 steals and 15 blocks (20 steals, 17 blocks).

Born in Killeen, Texas, Phillips was rated as the nation’s No. 13 prospect by ESPN and Rivals for the Class of 2022 and was a 2021-22 McDonald’s High School All-American. During the 2023 NBA Draft Combine, he posted the highest vertical leap (43 inches) of any participant. Phillips is the son of Kim and Chamberlain Phillips, who both served with and retired from the U.S. Army.

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Bulls Agree in Principle to Aquire Draft Rights to Julian Phillips

Sam Smith

It’s Draft Week in the NBA, and the chill the Bulls are feeling is being left out in the cold without the warmth of a draft pick to brighten up the league’s Thursday night welcoming festivities.

At least for now because while there have been no indications yet factual or otherwise, it’s not unreasonable to presume that the Bulls will find their way into Thursday’s NBA draft.

Their picks went to the Orlando Magic in the first round from the Nikola Vučević trade, and in the second round in a previous trade and to the league for a penalty during free agency.

But after the top three selections Thursday, who will be French giant Victor Wembanyama and in some order G-league Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama forward Brandon Miller, there remain various possibilities for obtaining even first-round draft picks, in part, because of the belief among many team executives that an additional veteran or two could change their competitive landscape with so much seeming parity in the league these days.

Of course, the Bulls also might not be interested in adding another rookie since they want to work in 2022 first round pick Dalen Terry and may be offering new contracts to Ayo Dosunmu and Coby White from recent drafts.

The Bulls still owe San Antonio a future No. 1 pick from the DeMar DeRozan signing, so acquiring a draft pick likely would involve a trade. But coming off a season in which they didn’t make the playoffs and with recent speculation about potential trades involving Bulls veterans, it’s possible the Bulls exchange players and also end up with a draft pick.&nbsp;

It’s possible, if unlikely, to purchase a draft pick from another team, or at least exchange a current one for a future one. And there remains the possibility the Bulls could acquire the No. 23 selection Portland owns from the Knicks to clear Portland’s responsibility to provide the Bulls with a No. 1 draft pick from the Derrick Jones Jr. acquisition that included moving Lauri Markkanen then to Cleveland.

So let’s look at some of the potential possibilities:

This is the big one because, at least for the Bulls interests, it could result in landing an athletic point guard in Henderson. Point guard remains the team’s No. 1 offseason priority. But the consolation prize of Miller also fits the Bulls because Patrick Williams seems destined to move to a wing position with a need for a shooting power forward like Miller. Though this seems highly unlikely. Although Portland has maintained it intends to retain Damian Lillard and build around him, they also have indicated they want to use the pick. And if they do it’s difficult to see Lillard staying. Because of the presence of potential stars like Henderson and Miller, the pick is being overvalued and likely would require a huge return of players. It seems like there’s no way the Bulls would be involved.

No. 4 from Houston, No. 7 from Indiana or No. 10 from Dallas

All of those teams have been involved in rumors and speculation suggesting they would move their draft pick with Houston talking about being in a ready for a win now approach with a new coach, the Pacers with enough young players and also anxious to compete more seriously and the Mavericks determined to provide help for Luka Dončić. The most frequently mentioned prospects after the top three are the athletic Thompson twins from the Overtime Elite basketball league for teenagers. If the Bulls could find their way in there, I’d probably go for Arkansas’ Anthony Black, a 6-6 point guard who might set the team back some to start but who could be that point guard for the future. Perhaps not the greatest shooter yet, but smart, tough and a leader. Or possibly Kentucky point guard Cason Wallace, a facilitator and defender with a developing ceiling for a catch-and-shoot possibility.

The Bulls have veterans and depth and it wouldn’t be inconceivable for them to make a deal given the personnel creativity Arturas Karnišovas showed during 2021 free agency. And if not a point guard, perhaps a big time knockdown shooter like Kansas Gradey Dick or Connecticut’s Jordan Hawkins. While point guard remains the offseason priority, the Bulls probably need shooting even more the way the NBA these days is almost defined by who makes the most threes. Miami’s remarkable run to the Finals was based in large part on outshooting opponents from deep.

No. 21 or No. 22 from Brooklyn (with them unlikely to use back to back picks), No. 23 from Portland or No. 26 or No. 29 from Indiana (which also has No. 32 and certainly isn’t using all their selections.)

There are four or five players who figure to fall into the 20s and maybe the early 30s who could fit Bulls needs. I like the older players and some in smaller programs who have been in college and perhaps while not having that high ceiling scouts love but who are more ready to play. Players like Ben Sheppard of Belmont who shoots well—this should be the priority of everyone the Bulls might add this summer—and is regarded as a smart and tough player. Another high IQ good shooter type with experience is Colby Jones of Xavier. Another interesting name who should slip into the bottom of the first round is Brandin Podziemski, who started at Illinois and didn’t do much and became a big time shooter and scorer at Santa Clara and who could become a shooting specialist. Some of the younger guys who stand out as shooting prospects are the Michigan guards, Kobe Bufkin and Jett Howard, the latter Juwan’s son. They’re young and less ready, but there’s the shooting. The Bulls also could use some defensive force at power forward, so perhaps a player like Alabama’s Noah Clowney. He’s more of a project for now given he’s turning 19 in the summer. But he provides that length and explosive reaction with size.

So will the Bulls have a hot time on Draft Night? This is the week when we see whether they turn up the heat.

Got a question for Sam?Submit your question to Sam at&nbsp;asksam@bulls.com

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Chicago Bulls. All opinions expressed by Sam Smith are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Chicago Bulls or its Basketball Operations staff, parent company, partners, or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Bulls and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

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Possible ways the Bulls can trade into the 2023 NBA Draft

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The Bulls 2023-24 season begins Tuesday with the NBA Draft Lottery conducted at McCormick Place.

It could become the highlight of the Bulls season if the lottery balls bounce the right way and the Bulls get one of the top-four selections in this draft that features potentially historic French big man Victor Wembanyama as the expected No. 1 pick.&nbsp;

Though the odds are against a Bulls win.&nbsp;

The Orlando Magic has the rights to the Bulls 2023 draft pick, currently ranked No. 11 in the draft, from the 2021 Nikola Vučević trade. It involved Wendell Carter Jr. and two No. 1 picks, the first being the 2021 selection Orlando used for Franz Wagner. The transaction is complete once the Magic exercises the 2023 pick. If that pick comes up in the top-four in this lottery, the Bulls retain the selection for this year and the Magic would be entitled to the Bulls pick top-three protected pick in 2024. If the Bulls miss the playoffs in 2024 and move up in that lottery also, then Orlando just gets two second round picks to conclude the deal.&nbsp;

So it’s most likely the Magic gets the 2023 Bulls draft pick this year.

There is for the Bulls, who in the draft lottery after winning a one-ball tiebreaker over Oklahoma City have a 1.8 percent chance next week to get the No. 1 pick—it was 1.7 percent when the Bulls rang the bell to skip to No. 1 for Derrick Rose—and an 8.5 percent chance to delay the delivery of the pick to Orlando and land in this year’s top four. Which could prove restorative for the Bulls franchise, as well, with two players, Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller, regarded by many NBA executives as future All-Stars.

Here’s a look at the projected top-four prospects for next month’s NBA draft and how they might fit and look in a Bulls jersey.

No. 1: Victor Wembanyama, 7-5, 220, France, Center.

He’s the reason why we’ll be watching the NBA next October. Eventually it will be for other reasons when the real players decide to begin playing. But the excitement for the start of the 2022-24 season will be this French phenom. Or, at least, we hope he will be. The scouting projection is the NBA never has seen anything like him, a man seven and a half feet tall who plays like a six-foot guard who can shoot, pass and dribble like the best at each position. And defend like few have with that size and coordination. Generational talent has been thrown around often, but since the NHL Blackhawks last week won their lottery rights for such a guy the word police have put that off limits here for the NBA Lottery. Wembanyama is the third most anticipated for sure NBA No. 1 pick in the last 20 years. The other two? Uh oh, Greg Oden and Zion Williamson. So it’s never a sure thing. You worry about guys that size, many of whom have had leg and foot injuries. Wembanyama seems like a high-level Chet Holmgren, the No. 2 pick last year who suffered an—oh oh—foot injury and missed his rookie season. But you have to take Wembanyama first if you get the chance. Just like everyone had to with Oden and Zion. Even if some believed Kevin Durant or Ja Morant would be better as they came to be. Your fan base will never let you live it down if you don’t.&nbsp;

If the Bulls get No. 1, they are taking Wembanyama. The projected Nos. 2 and 3 selections are highly ranked, but really no debate compared to Wembanyama. So what if the Bulls get the lottery luck? Though variously listed anywhere between 7-2 and 7-5, Wembanyama probably is an NBA power forward for this era. Which would fit the Bulls well since that’s their secondary need after a point guard. Winning the lottery for Wembanyama shouldn’t mean a complete dismantling of the roster for draft picks and young players. Wembanyama would fit ideally next to Nikola Vučević&nbsp;with Wembanyama playing a defensive center for rim protection and more on the perimeter on offense with his shooting range and handle. Then Patrick Williams moves to small forward for what could be one of the better front lines in the league for its defense and offensive versatility. Wembanyama might even be the best French center in franchise history. Which means something when you also had Joakim Noah.

No. 2. Scoot Henderson, 6-3, 195, G-League, Point Guard.

This is almost a tossup selection for most of the league, and even if the Bulls landed No. 2 because the Bulls’ primary needs are a point guard and a power forward. Assuming, of course, there are no major changes in the roster core and Patrick Williams moves to wing/small forward. Which is kind of a major change, but it’s difficult to see how the Bulls franchise can move forward relegating Williams to a bench role. The other guy for this spot is Alabama power forward, Brandon Miller. He is the ideal positional size player for this era at power forward, an athletic 6-9 player who can shoot from long range and defend his position. There was a legal issue and an injury late in the season that moderated his production. But no one in the NBA seems concerned it would outweigh his potential production and possible star turn.

But Henderson should be the choice for the Bulls if they were to get No. 2 in the Draft Lottery because, as we’ve seen, how difficult it is to find a dynamic point guard. And how much of a difference it makes to have one since the Bulls best play was in 2010-12 with Derrick Rose. And then not again until 2021 with Lonzo Ball. Henderson at 19 years old isn’t ready to take over a veteran team that has designs on competing in the Eastern Conference, like the Bulls do. But no teenager does. Remember, LeBron James’ teams didn’t make the playoffs his first two seasons. And Henderson is no LeBron. Which also is good to remember about Wembanyama. He isn’t getting into the playoffs as a rookie, either. Unless a team toward the bottom of the lottery moves up to get him. Henderson seems more like a scoring point guard for now in the Rose mold. He had his breakout game earlier this season scoring 28 points to lead his team against Wembanyama’s team. Remember, the Bulls had .500 records in Rose’s first two seasons. And when he said he could be the MVP we all rolled our eyes. Keep an eye on this guy.

No. 3. Brandon Miller, Alabama, 6-9, 200, Power Forward.

He had a controversial close to the season with a report he had handled a gun involved in a fatal shooting, charges that were denied and Miller then was cleared to play. He had a groin injury and a poor close to the season in the NCAA tournament. But he remains a valuable NBA prospect with seemingly no concerns among teams about involvement in the case.

Miller’s abilities fit the profile for the modern NBA power forward who can shoot threes and has the size to defend inside and outside with defensive switches. Miller shot 38 percent on threes despite a poor close to the season after the controversy emerged. He was almost 42 percent before that and averaging more than eight rebounds. For the Bulls, he’d be an ideal fit with Patrick Williams at small forward and Nikola Vučević at center with Williams and Miller being elite three-point shooters who could both help space the court and defend with excellent size to complement a versatile center like Vučević. A player like Miller would give the Bulls one of the biggest, most athletic front courts. And then with a big guard who also shoots 40 percent on threes like Zach LaVine and perhaps another 40 percent three-point shooter in Coby White, the Bulls shooting profile could vastly change for the better.

No. 4. Gradey Dick, Kansas, 6-8, 205, Small Forward.

Not that it would be bad to get No. 4, but for the Bulls this season would be like the 2020 draft of having No. 4 in what is generally regarded as a three (potentially great) player draft. Though we know from the history of the draft, the teams and scouts never get this right. And when you redo drafts five years later, it’s never the same top five. That 2020 draft did produce All-Stars at Nos. 1 and 3, but the third All-Star was at No. 12, Tyrese Haliburton. So when you’re out of the no brainier category, you both need to be smarter and do what’s best for your team.

The consensus among the draftniks at No. 4 this year is to select one of the twin brothers athletes from Overtime Elite, the separate professional league for 16 to 20 year olds who skip the rest of traditional schools. Amen Thompson, an athletic 6-7 wing player, is generally regarded as the likely No. 4 pick. His twin, Ausar, comes slightly behind, both impressive wing scorers. Though neither is a good shooter. While the Bulls positional weaknesses are power forward and point guard, the main need is shooting. There’s an NBA view of a so called position less game that would fit having a Thompson. But players still have positions, and Patrick Williams finally has agreed his best needs to be at the wing. So why bring in another when there’s other issues? Even if it sees like Amen could be a star.

Gradey Dick looks like the best shooter in the draft, a pure catch-and-release player who is no fish story. Just a glimpse at this year’s NBA playoffs shows practically game after game the team making the most threes wins. No team regularly shoots fewer than the Bulls, and no team is bereft of catch-and-shoot players like the Bulls. Most draft experts project Gradey Dick barely out of the top 10. Though we also heard a lot of those similar things about Haliburton. Gradey Dick isn’t the playmaker of someone like Haliburton. But he’s got probably the most valuable skill for the NBA these days. He wouldn’t project as a starter for the Bulls, but coming off the bench he could fill a valuable need for a team that probably needs two guys who can shoot like that.

If the Bulls didn’t care for Gradey Dick, I’d look at a few other players projected in the lottery who might fit more what the Bulls need than the Thompson brothers. It wouldn’t be a mistake to select Amen because, so be it, the Bulls hardly can pass on potentially elite talent. But if the Bulls get No. 4, it might be worth it to take a look at a potential point guard like 6-7 Anthony Black from Arkansas. Perhaps he’s not the prototypical player to run a team, but he’s got terrific size and seemingly has the potential to run an offense. He’s considered a good defender and with his size would give the Bulls the backcourt/wing defensive possibilities they currently lack often playing so small. He’s not a good shooter, which could be an issue, at least early on. Another possibility at No. 4 could be 6-8, 240-pound Jerace Walker from Houston. Maybe a bit small for power forward, but he has a long reach and is a powerful, physical player with a competent shot and top defensive abilities, a player with the toughness any team would desire for playoff ball. That’s where the scouting comes in because there always are players whom no one expects who become stars.&nbsp;

Now the lottery balls just have to settle in the right order.

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Here's who the Bulls could consider taking if they jump up in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery

Rob Schaefer

The Chicago Bulls’ 2022-23 season came to a disappointing end in mid-April with a loss to the Miami Heat in the play-in tournament.

Although that defeat fell short of the team’s playoff goals, there are still important basketball matters to attend to this May. Mainly, the NBA Draft Lottery, which will be held on May 16.

This year’s lottery has higher stakes for the Bulls than your typical non-playoff team. As part of the franchise’s trade for Nikola Vučević in February of 2021, the Bulls owe the Orlando Magic their 2023 first-round pick if said pick falls outside of the top four of the draft order — which, as of now, is overwhelmingly likely.

But that is why the lottery balls are drawn. Here is everything you need to know ahead of that seminal night, in FAQ format:

Uh, lottery balls? How does this whole process work again?

A good — and relatively complex — question to get us started.

The NBA Draft Lottery is exactly what it says it is: a lottery. The contestants are the 14 teams that did not qualify for the playoffs in a given season.

First, 14 lottery balls numbered 1-14 are placed into a lottery machine, with each of the 14 eligible teams assigned a set amount of four-number combinations.

Four balls are then withdrawn from said machine four times, producing four different four-number combinations. Whichever teams own the combinations that are produced are assigned the Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 picks, respectively, in the draft.

After the top four is etched in stone, pick Nos. 5-14 are assigned to the remaining teams based on the inverse of your regular season record. This means the only way a team can rise above its pre-lottery slot is if it jumps into the top four, and, if a team does not rise into the top four, the lowest they can fall is four spots below their pre-lottery slot.

What chance does each team have of winning the lottery?

But, of course, all lottery teams are not created equal. The worse your regular season record, the more combinations you receive.

Of the 1,001 possible four-number combinations that the lottery balls produce, here is how each team’s chances of landing the No. 1 overall pick break down by team rank (with No. 1 representing the team with the NBA’s worst record):

Each team’s chances of landing a top-four pick are significantly higher than the No. 1 pick, as they have four draws to see one of their four-number combinations produced.

What are the Bulls’ chances of winning the lottery? Or at least landing in the top four?

The Bulls finished the regular season tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA’s 11th-worst record (40-42), so they will split the combined 3.5% chance (35 combinations) of landing the No. 1 pick.&nbsp;

But because owning 17.5 four-number combinations would be impossible, the league coin-flipped last month to break the tie and determine which team would have 18 combinations and which would have 17. The Bulls won, so they have a 1.8% chance of landing the top pick in the draft and an 8.5% chance of rising into the top four.

Here is how the other lottery teams’ chances stack up:

How often do teams actually jump up in the lottery?

The NBA actually tweaked its lottery structure before the 2019 draft to smooth the probabilities a bit more evenly throughout the 14 contestants.

Before that draft, for example, the league used to only draw for the top three picks instead of four. And the team with the worst regular season record had a 25% chance of landing the top pick instead of an even 14% for each of the bottom three.

Such change was made to disincentivize intentionally jockeying for better draft lottery position — and has produced some interesting results thus far.

Of the 16 teams that have picked in the top four in the four drafts since the above changes were implemented, eight have come from outside the top four of the pre-lottery order. One of those eight even won the No. 1 pick (the Pelicans, who, with the league’s seventh-worst record, cashed in on a 6% chance in 2019).

The good news for the Bulls is anything is possible. Each year since the lottery system overhaul, at least one team from outside the top four has jumped — three in 2019, two in 2020 and 2021, and one in 2022.

The bad news is only once has a team jumped from a lottery slot as low as the Bulls’ 11th-place standing: the Lakers in 2019.

What is the Bulls’ history of jumping in the lottery?

The Bulls have jumped in the lottery three times in franchise history and once in the four years since the system tweaks were made.

The first was in 1999, when they rose from third pre-lottery to the No. 1 pick and selected Elton Brand. The third, as noted in the chart above, was in 2020, when they leapt from seventh to fourth and plucked Patrick Williams.

But, if you believe in miracles, the second is the most compelling relative to their chances this year. Fifteen years ago, sitting ninth in the 2008 lottery order with a 1.7% chance of nabbing the top overall pick, the Bulls vaulted all the way to No. 1 and drafted Derrick Rose.

So, yes, even if it’s not a good one, we’re telling you there is a chance that another generational talent — Victor Wembenyama? — ends up in Bulls threads come June.

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NBA Draft Lottery: How it works and where the Bulls stand

Most of you probably don’t know Dalen Terry, the University of Arizona guard whom the Bulls selected 18th in the NBA Draft on Thursday.

But you’re probably going to know a lot about him soon. And if it’s also for his basketball, the Bulls may be thanking their lucky No. 18.

“How’re you doing?” he was asked by way of introduction by local media on a Zoom conference call from the Bulls Advocate Center center court shortly after he was selected by the Bulls.

“How ya doing! How ya doing!” Terry bellowed, quickly seemingly the most enthusiastic and engaged any Bulls draft prospect has been in these awkward post-draft phone sessions since Reggie Theus in 1978.

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Dalen Terry Draft Media Availability

“When I worked out before (the Draft Combine for the Bulls), it was all love, honestly,” enthused the springy 6-7, 19-year-old. “I had a really good time there, actually; I really wanted to be there. It’s crazy. I called my agent immediately right after like, ‘Nah, that’s where I need to be.’ It’s great they drafted me. Man, I’m so happy. I feel I fit in perfectly. I’m a lengthy guard and will do anything to win. Man, I watched so much DeMar DeRozan this year. It’s crazy, him just getting to his spots. Zach LaVine, the smoothest player ever. Alex Caruso was in the locker room when I was in the locker room when I worked out! Everything is like, wow! I’m so happy, like 18 was perfect. I wanted to go to the Chicago Bulls.’

He’s not Magic Johnson, but you smile when he speaks like you did with Magic. That’s a love of the game.

"When I had my dinner with them when I worked out it was great,” Terry went on. “I feel like it’s a family already. We made each other laugh; everybody was laughing. And in my workout I felt the energy. Where you are standing there, I was shooting there!”

This was the personality version of Samuel L. Jackson doing a scene from Pulp Fiction accompanied by Jerry Lee Lewis on keyboards. Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on.

That’s something of the question mark for Terry, who is something of the prototype, Swiss Army knife NBA model these days with long arms, size to play guard or small forward (he calls himself a guard for now), and athletic leaping ability. That sure sounds good. But just turning 20 this summer, he was mostly a support player in college who averaged about eight points as a sophomore and attempted just six shots per game. Then because of injuries he became the team’s de facto point guard filling up the box score and making first team all-defense.

“I pass the ball,” said Terry. “I felt like me passing the ball my teammates scoring is just like me scoring. I was the guy who could sacrifice some shots to get the offense going, initiate the offense, make the extra pass, get the rebounds. I was doing the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet. Me not taking a lot of shots at some point was the role I was playing. l’m a product of my environment. Whatever situation I am in I am going to adapt to.”

Which could be a crowded one on the Bulls.

Bulls General Manager Marc Eversley meeting with media after the draft said the Bulls project Terry as more of a so called wing player, the popular perimeter category in the NBA these days. The Bulls could use support there, especially with a player like Terry who is active on defense and can turn that defense into transition offense. Eversley noted the Bulls were at their best last season playing that style when Lonzo Ball and Caruso were healthy.

Eversley in response to media inquires said Ball is progressing well from his knee issues that benched him the last three months and expects him to be ready for training camp. But he could not provide details.

Meanwhile, it is a crowded backcourt with Terry trying to work his way in with Ball, Caruso, Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White and basically guard/wing players DeRozan and LaVine.&nbsp;

Eversley predictably and appropriately said the Bulls were pleased and excited to draft a defensive oriented athlete like Terry.

Though he also conceded at the No. 18 pick the Bulls went with their list’s best player available. Eversley was vague about talks, though indicated they were about both going up or down in the draft.

The most common speculation was that the Bulls, with perhaps their primary need of an interior defensive player, were angling for Duke center Mark Williams, who came off the board at No. 15 to Charlotte. There also were media reports of Bulls interest in LSU’s Tari Eason, who went a pick before to Houston at No. 17. He has a similar game to Terry’s, but is a bit taller and about 25 pounds heavier with Terry just about 195. So gaining strength and some improved three-point shooting, particularly off the dribble, are priorities for him, Terry said.

Others who were believed to be on the Bulls wish list for possibilities at No. 18 came off early, like Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan at No. 9, Santa Clara’s Jalen Williams at No. 12 and Kansas’ Ochai Agbaji at No. 14.

Though Terry actually seems to fit a dual profile roster that basketball Vice President Artūras Karnišovas is building with another teenager, Patrick Williams, as his other first-round draft pick. It looks like a two-tier plan to support the steady veteran offensive talent of DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic with athletic, defensive-oriented youngsters like Williams and now Terry.

Terry is a Phoenix native who was mostly a point guard in high school, and carried almost a three-to-one assist/turnover ratio to Arizona. He’s an improving shooter, 36 percent on threes and 74 percent on free throws after 61 percent on free throws as a freshman. He admitted his three-point shooting off the dribble needs work compared with his spot up shooting.

He had off the chart measurables among the rookie class, tied for first among guards in standing reach (8-10) and tied for second among guards in wingspan (7-1). Terry and Dyson Daniels were tied for second among guards in height without shoes (6-6). He only averaged 6.6 points in two collegiate seasons and never had a 20-point game. But he regularly threatened triple doubles and his plus/minus was excellent with the team 10 points better when he was on the court.He was obviously a late riser in the draft after his Combine workouts since he wasn’t one of the 24 players invited to New York for the draft’s Green Room, which usually reflects the belief of the best players. Though some of them went in the second round. It wasn’t until late in the process Terry committed to the draft after uncertainly this season if he’d be a first round pick.

But he was honest, as he seemed about most everything, about his desires.

“I didn’t start playing basketball to be a college player,” he admitted. “I’ve always wanted to be in the NBA, and as soon as they were calling (as a possible first round pick) I was, ‘Man, I gotta go.’ I’d rather be in the NBA ready to learn and all that rather than be in college and be a star.”

No, he’s not shy with the media. And if he can produce in any significant way, you’re going to hear a lot from him next season as a media favorite.

“We really saw him as somebody that could fit with what we're building here with the Bulls,” said Eversley. "He's gonna bring versatility on both ends of the floor. Defensively, I think he's gonna be able to switch one through three. I think offensively he's gonna get out and run. I think last year early on we had a lot of success when we created turnovers defensively and got out and ran. I think he is somebody who's gonna be able to do that for us. He's a capable three-point shooter. I wouldn't call him a three-point shooter. But with his makeup, I think you (media) guys had an opportunity to speak to him; he just brings an energy and a vibe that I think he's gonna fit really well within this gym. He competes, he plays hard, he brings energy.”

“He fits the kind of makeup that we want to bring in,” said Eversley. “He's a tough kid. He's competitive. He brings a winning spirit to the room. I think he's a ball of energy, and I think we need that in this building every single day. He's just got the perfect makeup in terms of a kid who's gonna come in and do the things every single day to try to get better. We're excited about that.“We spoke to him about 30 minutes ago,” Eversley said with a smile. “The kid was incredibly excited about being a Chicago Bull. He literally said to us he would run here right now and get started. That’s just the kind of kid he is and we’re excited to have him.”

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Bulls select guard Dalen Terry with No. 18 pick in 2022 NBA Draft

I’ll tell you a secret about the NBA Draft, which this year is Thursday. Those of us who have been around are not supposed to say. So don’t tell anyone. Move a little closer.

They have very little idea what they are doing.

Not that it should be a big surprise. How is anyone supposed to project what a teenager or just-turned-20 with a still developing body—and certainly mind—is supposed to be while playing against adult men, say, five years from now. The truth is no one really can, though fans and especially media prefer their default position to excuse all their personal misjudgments. You know, it’s their job, they’re supposed to know. Not me.&nbsp;

So this is what all the scouts do, and you probably can’t blame them. They travel around all winter watching players, watch tapes, and then compare views. And then they make those one-to-10 lists and—shush, wink wink—share them. How else can you explain all these mock drafts basically being in the same order? How is it possible that so many people from so many different backgrounds and so many different races, religions and cultures can come up with basically the same numerical lists based on analysis of immature kids playing sports?

Heck, one of these kids who everyone has in the top 10 hasn’t even played basketball in more than a year.

The practice reminds me of a scene from my favorite comedy, Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, in which the lazy Gov played by Brooks gets word of chaos in a town and declares to his staff something much be done: “Gentlemen, we’ve got to protect our phony, baloney jobs.”

Just kidding, guys. Hey, it’s a comedy. But it is unrealistic that all these teams can basically come up with virtually the identical order with a player or two moved up or down. Look, all those media people aren’t out scouting. They’re asking team officials, who are telling them at least what they heard about the other guy.&nbsp;

One of the problems, though, is it’s on TV. The TV guys also have basically that same list, and you don’t want to be the executive who picks some kid No. 7 while the TV guys had him No. 41 on their list. You know, like Nikola Jokic.

Redo the order five years or so later when these kids are coming into their primes and we all can see how inexact is this “science.”

Let’s look at a few drafts where the players now should be in the primes of their careers:

2013. None of the top nine guys selected is an NBA starter today. The best players were selected at Nos. 15 and 27.

2014: Basically half the top 10 picks are either out of the NBA or barely hanging on. Joel Embiid was No. 3 and Julius Randle No. 7. But Zach LaVine was No. 13 and Jokic was No 41.

2015: Karl-Anthony Towns took awhile, but is worthy of No. 1. The next best player was Devin Booker at No. 13. Seven of the top 10 are either out of the league or journeymen role players.

2016: It was a credible top three with Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram and Jalen Brown. Pascal Siakam at No. 27 is as accomplished as any. Again, five of the top 10 are out of the NBA or barely hanging on.

2017: Jayson Tatum was No. 3, but the other All-Stars were taken at Nos. 13, 14 and 22. Six of the top 10 are out of the league or have been traded at least once.&nbsp;

I’m not saying I could do better since it’s so difficult to project. Football makes them stay in school and seriously compete awhile. Baseball makes them do so in remote places for several years. The NBA wants to know why they’re not ready to be stars by the time they hit 20.

It seems like 6-10 forward Jabari Smith from Auburn will be the No. 1 pick to the Orlando Magic. That’s reasonable. He looks like a guy who will walk into the NBA and score immediately. He could be a star at 20. There’s the usual Kevin Durant comparisons, but there’s no one like him. Maybe a version of Rashard Lewis, who made a few All-Star teams and averaged 20 points in a seven-year stretch. I’d take that at No. 1. You just can’t miss there.

I don’t see it for everyone’s No. 2 and No. 3 guys, Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren and Duke’s Paolo Banchero.&nbsp;

Maybe if Holmgren still is OK in five years. He’s certainly skilled and seems intelligent. But I can’t see that 190-pound body holding up or having much impact. Banchero doesn’t seem athletic enough to me. He looks like a guy who will handle college kids much better than pros. He should be OK, though not much more.

I haven’t seen all those guys projected in the lottery except in highlights, and you know in those they shoot 100 percent and make every great pass. The guys who to me stand out the most are 6-4 Jaden Ivey of Purdue and 6-11 Jalen Duren of Memphis.

Ivey looks like what an NBA player is supposed to look like. He’s a guy who’s going to do spectacular things running all over the court like Russell Westbrook. Duren is 18 and a man. He’s huge, athletic, strong. I know centers are passe’, but it’s nice to have one if you have to play Embiid or Jokic or Gobert or Jarrett Allen. There’s still a bunch around. And guys will have second thoughts trying to dunk on your guys.

Otherwise, I’m as interested as you to see just what everyone does Thursday—except Orland—offering some version of Jerry Krause’s famous, “We can’t believe he fell to us.”

So with the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft, the...

Orlando Magic: Jabari Smith Jr., 6-10 forward, Auburn.

He seems like the safest pick for them and an interesting tandem with last year’s Franz Wagner. Holmgren often has been mentioned as a possible No. 1 because of his skill with his unusual size. But they probably can’t afford any talk of Mo Bamba 2.0.

2.&nbsp;Oklahoma City Thunder. Chet Holmgren, 7-1 center, Gonzaga.

As they also have 190-pound seven footer Aleksej Pokuševski this may be the most unusual NBA team we ever have seen, and if bowling pins is the de rigueur Holloween costume they win.

3. Houston Rockets. Paolo Banchero, 6-10 forward,&nbsp;Duke.

He’s the consensus third guy in the top three tier, so they have to take him. It probably doesn’t matter much who they take as they seem to be just putting together a bunch of guys running around shooting a lot of shots. They have a few other firsts so wait, wait, wait..and watch.

4. Sacramento Kings. Jaden Ivey, 6-4 guard,&nbsp;Purdue.

It’s a relief that the Kings are about to again be the Kings. We need something to count on in the NBA. Hey, we just drafted a guard in Davion Mitchell, so we can’t take him. You know, the better guy. The Kings predictably seem oblivious that about a half dozen teams are trying to trade with them. Wonder why? GM Monte McNair may think everyone is just is happy he got the job and wants to congratulate him. So the latest conventional wisdom is they’ll move the pick to trade down to get someone like Iowa forward Keegan Murray. The Knicks, of course, are interested and offering all the guys no one wants.

5. Detroit Pistons: Bennedict Mathurin, 6-6 wing, Arizona.

He’s who sounds like the modern NBA, and pretty much describes most of the guys in the top 20, athletic, shot maker, defender, or two of three with varying levels of production. He seems like a favorite of most after the top three/four.

6. Indiana Pacers. Keegan Murray, 6-8 forward, Iowa.

Another modern NBA prototype, wing, shooter (we all love saying wing instead of forward; sounds analytical). Suddenly everyone is looking to find the next Andrew Wiggins, who was the second best player in the NBA Finals. Not sure the betting apps ever had odds on anyone writing that one.

7. Portland Trailblazers. Jalen Duren, 6-11 center, Memphis.

I’ll put him here, though none of the mock drafts do. The Portland deal seems all about retaining Damian Lillard, and they basically don’t have any picks left with the Bulls getting their next non lottery one, and another off to the Pistons for the trade for Jerami Grant the week. That seems to suggest they’ll try to trade this pick for another veteran. But if they keep it Duren makes sense even that young. Jusuf Nurkic is a free agent, probably too risky with injuries and not much defensively, where the ‘blazers have been bad.

8. New Orleans Pelicans. Dyson Daniels, 6-7 wing, G League Ignite.

None of those G-league guys seem like they can shoot, but they’re athletic guys, some of whom seem like they’ll be able to defend and definitely run the court. The Pelicans, like the Thunder, have most of the rest of the first round draft picks this decade. So who knows what they’ll do with all these guys. Stack up those wings and see what happens. At worst, a Buffalo Wild Wings franchise.

9. San Antonio Spurs. Shaedon Sharpe, 6-6 forward, Kentucky.

This guy may be my favorite in the lottery as a John Wall protege. Though Wall played at Kentucky for awhile. He just talked about it and no one really has seen him play in more than a year. Maybe the Rockets will draft him and let him stay home with Wall. The Spurs have been taking high ceiling risks in the draft, and he’s supposedly a talent. Not that anyone has seen him to know that.

10. Washington Wizards. A.J Griffin, 6-6 forward, Duke.

This is another team being run by its main player for now to get him to stay, Bradley Beal. The player model instead of create a Big Three now seems to be sign long term, as Beal likely will, and then in a year or two decide if you’re happy or not. So they’ll probably try to trade the pick. But if they keep it they can use perimeter shooting to space for Beal and Griffin’s one of the best in this draft. They also need a point guard, but none are rated highly.

11. New York Knicks. Ochai Agbaji, 6-5 wing,&nbsp;Kansas.

They want to trade up, but only local media values their players. Or trade out. If they keep the pick and Thibs gets any say, he makes some sense with shot making ability and defense. Not a flashy guy, but solid and reliable and elderly by draft standards at 22, so more ready to help now. And Thibs’ job is on the line.

12. Oklahoma City Thunder (from Clippers). Ousmane Dieng, 6-9 forward, New Zealand Breakers.

Sounds a bit like last year’s lottery breakout for them, Josh Giddey. Dieng is another high ceiling, we’ve got time big, skinny ball handler with promise. Seemingly with everyone on the roster 6-9 or above they sure will be able to switch.

13. Charlotte Hornets. Mark Williams, 7-0 center, Duke.

He’s the heart breaker for Bulls fans. Or at least me. He’s just the long, defensive interior player the Bulls could use. Charlotte, too, without much inside as well. They also have No.15 and supposedly will put one of the picks in play. Of course, if they hire Mike D’Antoni after Kenny Atkinson backed out they may not need anyone over 6-8.

14. Cleveland Cavaliers. Jeremy Sochan, 6-9 forward, Baylor.

They have the size up front and can use the defense outside. He’s regarded as one of the best all around defenders who could move Lauri Markkanen to sixth man, where he probably fits best and be a secondary ballhandler in transition for a developing young team. And still with a move they could make with Collin Sexton.

15. Charlotte Hornets (from Pelicans). Johnny Davis, 6-5 wing, Wisconsin.

He’d be a reason to hold onto the pick if he were to be here. He’s a highly regarded scorer who also can be a playmaker to support LaMelo Ball and keep that high scoring team mentality.&nbsp;

16. Atlanta Hawks. Tari Eason, 6-8 forward,&nbsp;LSU.

They fell into that trap of believing they were the 2020 conference finals team instead of who they are. So changes are afoot. Presumably especially with a brutally poor defense. If they were to retain the pick, he’d fit as a potentially top defender and someone who can run the court with Trae Young.

17. Houston Rockets (from Brooklyn). Jalen Williams, 6-6 wing, Santa Clara.

He’s the late riser in the class, a mid major guy who does a little bit of a bunch of things as they sort things out for their 2029 playoff run.

18. Bulls. E.J. Liddell, 6-7 forward, Ohio State.

He’s long been the guy most likely to fall who won’t fail. It seems like the Bulls are going to rebuild their bench, and the intangible that might be most important is toughness. He’s a physical guy, undersized as it goes but 6-7. He was the guy who took on the toughest opponent no matter the size. That’s been too much for Patrick Williams. He may not have the high ceiling, but might be able to put someone through a wall. Good enough tradeoff.

19. Minnesota Timberwolves. TyTy Washington Jr., 6-3 guard, Kentucky.

They’ve talked about moving the pick as well as D’Angelo Russell. It’s not a big draft for point guards, and he’s believed to be the best just in case they need one. Though Anthony Edwards will take the ball, thank you.

20. San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto). Dalen Terry, 6-7 wing, Arizona.

He’s another player who supposedly has moved up, though how he’s done it always is curious since basically all these guys do is have dinner with team executives. May have known which fork to use. In any case, the Spurs seem mostly to be accumulating talent and he’ll defend, which Popovich prefers.

21. Denver Nuggets. MarJon Beauchamp, 6-6 wing, G League Ignite.

A high altitude guy more than high ceiling. Jokic isn’t running the court much, but they long have had that edge with guys who’ll play in transition in the mile high atmosphere. Athletic player who doesn’t shoot much yet. Michael Porter will do that if he’s back from the back.

22. Memphis Grizzlies (from Utah). Blake Wesley, 6-5 guard, Notre Dame.

They’re putting together a stable of two-way potential players with some playmaking and defense and he’d add to that.

23. Philadelphia 76ers. Malaki Branham, 6-5 wing, Ohio State.

They’re another team willing to offer its pick, but the price often is too high for the reward. He’s generally projected higher, though I didn’t like what I saw. He’s likely to get over that. If they keep the pick they could use shooting (who can’t?) off Embiid.

24. Milwaukee Bucks. Patrick Baldwin Jr. 6-10 forward, Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Maybe take a chance? He’s falling into &nbsp;the second round among most projections after a horrendous season with plenty of explanations, like injury and his dad being fired, who was his coach and why he went there. He’s got sort of a Michael Porter Jr. potential and they like tall shooters. No rush.

25. San Antonio Spurs (from Boston). Jake LaRavia, 6-8 forward, Wake Forest.

Them again? No one uses all those picks, though Jerry Krause did use six one year in the early 2000s. That didn’t go well. He seems like an Alex Caruso type, and not just because of the head band. More and more teams having seen that (not the head band) feel they can use that.

26. Houston Rockets (from Dallas). Jaden Hardy, 6-4 guard, G League Ignite.

Another why not take a shot guy since they aren’t going anywhere. Improved as the season went on from being bad, but still just a kid and no college. He can handle the ball and score, and that’s a lot of it.

27. Miami Heat. Kennedy Chandler, 6-0 guard,&nbsp;Tennessee.

A small point guard, but so is Kyle Lowry. He’s more the pure point guard type and can make a shot. Everyone worries about small guys and defense, and sure, they are a defensive group. But he’ll compete, which is a culture thing.

28. Golden State Warriors. Nikola Jović, 6-11 forward, Serbia.

With their luxury tax bill and young guys still not having played, they don’t need a draft pick. If they can’t package it, a stash makes sense. He’s one of those tall kids who learned at point guard, so call us back in a few years.

29. Memphis Grizzlies.&nbsp; Wendell Moore, 6-5 shooting guard, Duke.

A good shooter and potential all around player who could be another fit with their dynamic young group. Ja likes shooters and runners.

30. Denver Nuggets (from Oklahoma City) Kenny Lofton Jr. 6-6 power forward, Louisiana Tech.