Early Look at 2010 Draft Options

[ZoomSlowik]

I figured I'd bring this back since I just looked at the standings and was surprised to see the the Bulls are up to 7th in the NBA draft lottery right now.

Also, throwing it in this forum because no one ever reads the general NBA thread.


1) PG John Wall, Kentucky

He's running away from the field right now. Wall has pretty much everything you look for in a lead guard; he gets to the basket with ease and has the size and explosiveness to finish. His jumper is only okay and he turns it over too much, but he will start from Day 1 for someone.

Fit for the Bulls- 2

Unfortunately for the Bulls, he is virtually the same player as Rose (appears more explosive but doesn't take care of the ball as well). I can't see the two co-existing in the backcourt and it could be hard to get the desired value in trade for either player.


2 and 3) PF Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech and PF Ed Davis, North Carolina

I might as well group them as one player since they are eerily similar. Both are about 6'9" 215 with great length and athleticism that are already doing serious damage in college but need more polish. Even their stat lines are virtually identical. Favors does appear to be a bit more explosive while Davis seems to have a little more post ability right now.

Fit for the Bulls- 8

The Bulls will need some help up front, especially if they let Tyrus walk to go after a big time free agent. However, neither is likely to fill their immediate need of post scoring. They could develop into highly capable 16-10 type power forwards, but like Tyrus and Noah will thrive on uncontested shots and put-backs early on in their careers.


4) SF Wesley Johnson, Syracuse

Johnson has had an explosive start to the college season, doing it all on the wing for a surprising strong Syracuse team. He's shooting a ridiculous 59% from the floor so far and 51.4% from behind the arc. He's also chipping in 7.6 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 2 blocks to go with his 17 points per game. On the downside, he's already 22 after transferring from Iowa State and everything he takes is basically an outside jumper or an uncontested/transition dunk/layup.

Fit for the Bulls- 7

Johnson's build suggests he is an NBA SG, but his style looks more like that of a SF. Deng probably isn't going anywhere, so we'd need him to play the former. His outside shot and off the ball tendencies would mesh well with Rose. That said his shot has been far better this year than it has been in previous seasons. Will he still be a dead-eye shooter on NBA 3's? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, he could move up to a 10.


5) SF Al-Farouq Aminu, Wake Forest

At times Aminu looks like a potential star, flying up and down the floor while cleaning the glass and disrupting defenses on one end and finishing at the rim on the other with a solid mid-range jumpers. At other times he looks like a guy that isn't quite sure how to make the most of his abilities. He has the tools to be a difference maker, but has yet to develop a perimeter shot, a post game or the ability to consistently create his own shot.

Fit for the Bulls- 0

I can't see the Bulls taking him. They already have Deng at his best position and took his former teammate James Johnson last year, who has a relatively similar game. He also doesn't solve the Bulls' offensive problems or fit either glaring need (a sniping SG or a post-up PF).


6) SG/SF Xavier Henry, Kansas

He has fit in quite well on a stacked Kansas team, averaging an efficient 16 points on 10.5 shots per game. He has great range on his jumper and hits them with consistency. He also has some muscle on his frame that allows him to finish inside. However, he doesn't really take advantage of his finishing ability, usually settling for jump shots. He's also not really a big factor off the dribble and doesn't really have elite NBA quickness or leaping ability.

Fit for the Bulls- 10

The Bulls need an outside threat like Henry quite desperately. The threat of his jumper would likely give Rose a lot more room to drive. However, he also seems less likely to be a high-impact player on the next level because he's somewhat one-dimensional. He doesn't get to the line much, so he could struggle to be consistent when his jumper isn't falling.


7) SG/SF Evan Turner, Ohio State

Turner probably would have been #2 on this list before his back injury. He was having a phenomenal year, averaging 18 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 60% from the floor. Even though he hasn't taken many 3's and turns it over a lot, he would have been a very high pick before fracturing two vertabrae in a fall after a dunk attempt. Now he's out until at least February and even if he returns this year at full strength that injury will likely be a red flag on his draft report.

Fit for the Bulls- 5

Turner was clearly the best wing player in this draft before the injury with his Pippen-like diversified game. The Bulls could definitely use his scoring ability, but he isn't a particularly good fit for their offense. Turner does most of his damage on the drive and from the mid-range area, much like Rose and Deng. If he were the starting 2-guard, teams would have even less reason to guard the Bulls beyond 20 feet. While he would be an upgrade, some other adjustments to the roster would be necessary.


8) C Cole Aldrich, Kansas

Aldrich is one of the most dominant players in college basketball. Playing for a loaded Kansas team has kept his minutes and scoring down, but he does have a solid post game to complement his dominant rebounding and defense. He's one of the main reasons Kansas is ranked #1. If he were a better athlete, he'd be in the NBA already. He's not particularly quick or explosive.

Fit for the Bulls- 9

Aldrich would definitely help their post scoring, something they desperately need. However, it's hard to judge how big of an impact he will have in the pros given his less than ideal athleticism. Are you getting Brook Lopez or Spencer Hawes? That's a pretty big difference in production, which is why he isn't near the top of the draft.


9) PG/SG Willie Warren, Oklahoma

After a big year in support of Blake Griffin last year, Warren has struggled to be as productive this year. He's still scoring pretty well and his passing has improved, but his outside shot has disappeared and he's turning it over pretty often. The jury is still out on Warren. He has the talent to make an impact at either guard spot, but isn't really excelling at either position at the moment.

Fit for the Bulls- 2

Warren's size makes him a better fit at the point, but he could be useful at the shooting guard spot. Pairing him with Rose probably isn't smart though. Warren would have to adjust to playing without the ball for the majority of the game and rediscover his 3-point shot.


10) PF Greg Monroe, Georgetown

Scouts seem to be souring a bit on Monroe. He has top-5 potential because of his length and very high skill level, but he doesn't dominate games the way you would expect. He doesn't play with toughness and aggression, leaving many to question his motor and desire. It also doesn't help that he has decent but not great athleticism. He has a lot of the same skills as LaMarcus Aldridge; whether he gets to that level is an entirely different matter.

Fit for the Bulls- 10

If Monroe fufills his potential, he is exactly what they need. Monroe could be a deadly pick and roll big man that can score in the basket area and stick jumpers. On the other hand, he could be too soft to be an effective NBA big man. You just don't know at this point, which is why he's in the late-lottery area.


11) PF Patrick Patterson, Kentucky

Patrick has been a solid player for his entire college career, but is just starting to get lottery buzz this year now that Kentucky is the new "it" team. He does everything you want a big man to do: score down low, rebound, block shots, and he can even step out and hit college 3's now. The fact that he's only 6'8" and the perception that he will always be solid but not stellar have held him back a bit, but that could change if Kentucky makes a deep tournament run and he keeps hitting jumpers.

Fit for the Bulls- 9

Patterson isn't the sexiest prospect on the board, but he could help the Bulls. He will find ways to score and would give them a player with some bulk inside. His height is less of a concern playing next to the lengthy Joakim Noah as well.


12) C Salomon Alabi, Florida State

Alibi is here almost entirely on potential. He's huge and is a good athlete, but is only marginally productive so far in his sophomore season.

Fit for the Bulls- 1

The Bulls could use another big man, but Alabi is a project. They need some more immediate help.


13) PF Donatas Motiejunas, Lithuania

I don't really know much about this guy. From what I read he's a solid athlete that can score out to about 18 feet and handle the ball, but he needs to add a lot of strength and learn how to use his skills. He's supposedly a bench player in Italy right now.

Fit for the Bulls- who knows

It sounds like he's a project, but I haven't seen him play. If he is NBA ready he could be a nice fit as a perimeter oriented PF would mesh a bit better with the mid-range heavy game of the Bulls.


14) PF DeMarcus Cousins, Kentucky

DeMarcus has the potential to go much higher, but he's a bit too erratic right now. He has great size and bulk, good agility and a very high skill level. He could be a monster, but so far he's been holding himself back. He's notorious for taking large chunks of games off and has often been criticized for being out of shape. Thus far he also has an absurdly high foul rate at Kentucky, which limits his playing time.

Fit for the Bulls- 8

The Bulls could clearly use someone with his abilities, but he also might be more trouble than he's worth in the long run.

[Sanitarium]

I've seen Aminu in person... I wasn't impressed. Apparently his 'best case' scenario is turning into another Luol but i don't see that happening.

[Cowch]

Is the best case scenario sucking this season, getting a high draft pick, and signing a big name FA or playing well and drawing the biggest FA they can?

[ZoomSlowik]

Is the best case scenario sucking this season, getting a high draft pick, and signing a big name FA or playing well and drawing the biggest FA they can?

Lebron/Wade/Bosh would be a way bigger impact for the Bulls than the draft pick, especially since Wall isn't really a good fit for them. The pick could turn out to be a very good player down the road, but the other way you know you're getting a star.

[AtHomeBoy_2000]

Is the best case scenario sucking this season, getting a high draft pick, and signing a big name FA or playing well and drawing the biggest FA they can?

Depends on the player they get. Obviously LeBron would make this team instantly better with little need for high impct draft pick.
However, if we went after Bosh, then I would love to see a solid SG like Henry or Turner.