Pre-Draft Outlook
It’s never a good sign when the intrigue before and at the lottery generates more chatter than when and whom the Bulls actually will draft. After a silly sort of season in which Chicago bottomed out at 22-35 soon after the All-Star break, it finished 17-8 to no particular good end. One fewer meaningless victory, as it turned out, would have given them the Dallas Mavericks’ chances, which got rewarded with the No. 1 pick. The mediocrity has reached a full decade — three coaches, two playoff appearances, 95 games below .500 — since the team averaged 51 victories from 2011-15.
The Way to Go
When only two teams allowed more points last season, when only one got to the foul line less often, and when the roster has mostly role players, help can come at any position. The backcourt has a little more depth with Coby White, Josh Giddey and others, so some size and defense up front would be nice. Among names floated in recent mock drafts for players to fill the No. 12 slot: Maryland’s Derik Queen, South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles or Georgia’s Asa Newell.
— Steve Aschburner
Here’s a quick look at Chicago’s current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G: Lonzo Ball
G: Ayo Dosunmu
G: Coby White
G: Jahmir Young
G/F: Kevin Huerter
F: Matas Buzelis
F: Julian Philips
F: Dalen Terry
F: Patrick Williams
F/C: Zach Collins
F/C: Jalen Smith
C: Nikola Vučević
Free Agents
G: Jevon Carter
G: Josh Giddey
G: Talen Horton-Tucker
G: Tre Jones
F: E.J. Liddell
F: Emanuel Miller