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5 Predictions For NBA Draft Night

By Ryan Blackburn

Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers forward Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers at Thompson-Boling Arena. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 16, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2016; Starkville, MS, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) brings the ball up court during the first half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Humphrey Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bulls draft their Derrick Rose replacement in Wade Baldwin

The Chicago Bulls knew they had to move either Jimmy Butler or Derrick Rose and I even said as much in a recent article. That being said, I didn’t think they would make the decision as quickly as they did.

The Bulls moved Rose in a deal with the Knicks. They received Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon and Jerian Grant. With all due respect to Grant, I don’t see him as the guy to complement Jimmy Butler for the foreseeable future. Jose Calderon will likely be the starter, but he’s a stop-gap.

Enter Wade Baldwin.

Baldwin shot 40.6 percent from three point range this past season, a major need if playing next to Butler. He also seamlessly operating with and without the ball in his hands, another major factor. His length and athleticism will go a long way in making him a capable defender as well.

He seems like an ideal fit for a Chicago franchise that needs to build for the future. Butler is a great two-way player, but he alone won’t turn the Bulls into a playoff team. The Bulls need to retool, and Baldwin is a great place to start.

Next: The Spurs draft an underdog

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