2017 NBA Draft: 3 dream targets for Chicago Bulls at No. 16
Dennis Smith Jr., PG, NC State
It’s unclear what the Bulls’ plan at point guard is right now. The general consensus is that Rajon Rondo will stay, but his contract is non-guaranteed for 2017-18. There’s plenty of depth at the position, but there are not a lot of exciting options off the bench.
That’s why drafting a point guard wouldn’t be the worst idea for Chicago. It’s a real possibility they move on from Rondo. Or he could be kept around for a year while a prospect point guard develops into a capable starter. Either way, Dennis Smith Jr. would be a tremendous get in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft.
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An explosive athlete with lightning-fast agility and ball handling, Smith has everything you’re looking for in today’s star point guard. He can score at will, using his quickness to get into the paint and finish above the rim. His defense is a work in progress and his jump shot needs refinement, but there’s no denying the natural tools are there.
Assuming teams feel confident he can be a leader at the next level, Smith seems like a sure-fire star in the making. So you can understand why Chicago would see him as a tremendous building block, right? It’s not like they’d pass on the opportunity to add some more scoring options.
Obviously, it’s highly unlikely Smith falls all the way to No. 16. There’s a very good chance he doesn’t even make it out of the top 10 considering his sky-high upside. But in the dream world we’re currently existing in, the Bulls would trip over themselves trying to turn in the ticket if he was available in the middle of the first round.