The Chicago Bulls are primed for a great pick in the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery. Here are the chances they could earn a top three selection.
The Chicago Bulls spent the past decade straddling the line between NBA purgatory and Eastern Conference title contender. While those 10 years brought their fare share of drama and entertainment, the Bulls never made it to the NBA Finals and were only-lottery bound once.
In a league where great success and great failure are most rewarded, it seems like the Bulls finally “achieved” at least one of the two.
After a successful tank season, Chicago is primed for a possible top pick. Yes, the odds are small. History, however, is on their side. A decade ago, the Bulls odds of claiming the top pick were 1.7 percent.
That was the year the selected the future youngest MVP and Chicago native Derrick Rose in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Will the past repeat itself? Again, the odds are slim. The Bulls currently sit with the sixth pick and a 5.3 percent chance of earning the first pick. The chances are better than in 2008, but still highly unlikely. Rarely does Lady Luck visit a franchise twice in such a short time span.
With a top-heavy draft, even earning a top-three pick (18.3 percent odds) would be something to gloat about. Less luck is needed for Chicago to earn such an early selection. Here’s how the team’s odds shake out:
- 1st: 5.3%
- 2nd: 6.0%
- 3rd: 7.0%
- 6th: 44.0%
- 7th: 33.1%
- 8th: 4.5%
- 9th: 0.1%
The Bulls are unable to earn the fourth or fifth pick and could fall to ninth, though that is extremely unlikely. This draft will likely yield a very good player, even at seventh or eighth spot.
Chicago will eye a player to groom with its youthful nucleus. This player doesn’t need to be elite, but a future All-Star may be needed to complete a potential championship contender.
Lauri Markkanen appears to be the franchise’s centerpiece for now. He sprinted out of the gate, becoming the fastest player in NBA history to to drill 100 3-pointers before cooling off. He’s 7’0” with a mature skill-set and solid defensive skills.
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Zach LaVine is an electric backcourt scorer who exceeded expectations during in his first year with the Bulls. He dropped 22.0 points per 36 minutes, while averaging a steal per game. Both were career highs.
Kris Dunn is a solid defensive counterpart that has the makings of an excellent point guard. Bobby Portis blossomed off the bench and Denzel Valentine appears like a complementary piece going forward.
Two things were missing from that group: a reliable small forward and an elite rim protector. If the Bulls land, say the third pick, they could potentially choose between Luka Doncic and Michael Porter Jr. Both have potential to be elite small forwards.
If they drop back to six or seven, either Mohamed Bamba or Jaren Jackson Jr. — solid defensive players — will likely be available. So Chicago sits in a cozy spot to address one of two needs early in the draft.
The Bulls have a mixed history with early picks. Last year, the used rights to the seventh pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves to land Markkanen. In 2008, they drafted Rose with the first pick, and Joakim Noah with the ninth overall selection in 2007. Both ended up being All-NBA First Team selections. Marcus Fizer, Chris Mihm and Eddy Curry, however, were all relatively recent busts.
Of course, there was that Michael Jordan guy in 1984. So all-in-all, a mixed bag.
Next: Full two-round 2018 NBA Mock Draft
The 2018 NBA Draft Lottery is Tuesday, May 15.