Lucky # 7?

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May 15, 2019

The 2019 draft lottery was set to be a very important day for the Bulls. With a 12.5% chance at the #1 pick, and a 36.6% chance to move in to the top 4. Bulls Nation were salivating at the chance of adding Zion Williamson or Ja Morant to the Bulls young core.

 

The air was sucked out of the room, and hopes of the Bulls fan base crushed, as it was announced for the 3rd straight year, the Bulls would pick 7th. No Zion, no Morant, no RJ Barrett. Instead of the Bulls adding one of these players with a top 3 pick, those players will be enlisted to join the New Orleans Pelicans, Memphis Grizzles and the New York Knicks, respectively. I can’t even begin to express the pain all of Bulls Nation is feeling right now.

Photo: @chicagobulls

With a pick outside of the top 4, the Bulls are unlikely to be able to trade up to take Ja Morant, who would have best filled the Bulls need for a point guard. With the Phoenix Suns, who also need a point guard, picking one spot ahead of the Bulls, chances are very slim point guard Darius Garland will be available for the Bulls to select. If the Bulls decided to go after Garland, they could make a call to the Cleveland Cavaliers (#5 pick) about swapping picks, or maybe they can sell the suns on taking a chance on Kris Dunn and a couple sweeteners, for the right to swap picks, and a chance to take Garland.

 

Photo: espn.com

 If the Bulls stay at #7, than chances are they will be adding North Carolina Tar Heel player Coby White. White is a combo guard, who is able to play either backcourt position, which could work well with Jim Boylen’s multiple ball handler offense, as he can play off ball, which should work well, with backcourt mate Zach Lavine (who’s at his best with the ball in his hands). White has displayed impressive ball screening, and playmaking instincts with the Tar Heels, he’s also has shown the ability to knock down 3’s off the dribble. He would bring an uptempo pace to the Bulls, which should create good looks in transition.

 

 The Bulls could also look to acquire former #2 pick Lonzo Ball from the Los Angles Lakers, as the Bulls seem to value his playmaking ability. But Ball who’s shooting is a bit worst than Dunn’s, also shoots below 40% from the free throw line, and all the extra baggage he brings with him (his father Lavar). The Bulls would be better served selecting White at #7. In a recent tweet Chicago native, Patrick Beverley has seemingly shown an interest in joining the Bulls next season.

pat

Photo: @patbev21 on twitter.com

That would give the Bulls a veteran presence at point guard and a gritty defender to put next to Lavine. Beverley also being a 40% career 3 point shooter, would be nothing but positive for the Bulls offense.

After the pain subsides, and all is said and done, with the Bulls selecting Lauri Markkanen, Wendell Carter Jr. and a player with a potential to fit the team’s need in Coby White, maybe 7 is a lucky number after all.

 

 

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