This has been a challenging year for all of us, including in the sports world. With seasons postponed and bubbles, we have finally gotten a day for this year’s NBA draft. This year’s NBA draft will take place Wednesday, November 18th, a quick turn around with the season just ending. Usually the NBA draft would take place in July, giving teams about 4 months to train their rookies and bring them up to speed. This year because of the COVID-19, pandemic rookies will only have about one month to get acclimated to their team. Then there’s the lowly Chicago Bulls! To say that this franchise had problems before the pandemic is an understatement. The Bulls have not been competitive since 2016/2017, where they last made the playoffs, and one could argue not even then. In the 2016/2017 season, the Chicago Bulls Finished 41-41 and was bounced out of the Eastern Conference first-round to the Boston Celtics, four games to two. The Bulls have made several head-scratching decisions that stream back to their dynasty days; but let’s focus on the present. They traded away Jimmy Butler for Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn, and the number 7th pick who would be Lauri Markkanen. Zach Lavine is good, an impressive star, but he’s not at the level of Jimmy Butler. Kris Dunn has not lived up to being drafted 5th overall in 2016 out of providence; Lauri is a solid player, but the Bulls could have drafted Donovan Mitchell, and if the Bulls had taken Mitchell, they would have won this trade. With a staggering list of bad draft picks over the last five years, the Bulls finally decided to fire long-time general Manager Gar Forman whom many believed to be long overdue. The Bulls also fired Coach Jim Boylen who finished with just 39 wins and 89 losses. The Bulls replaced Boylen with proven Coach Billy Donovan, who will prove to be an excellent hire.
With a new Head coach and a new General Manager, The Bulls’ future could be promising, and it all starts with this draft. The Chicago Bulls have the 4th pick in the draft, and they’ll have to do some work to get their franchise player. Who is that player? LaMelo Ball. LaMelo is widely considered as the best player in this upcoming draft. Ball, the younger brother of Pelican’s point guard Lonzo Ball, played in the National Basketball League(Australia) last season. Although Ball did not shoot the ball particularly well last season, just 37 percent, his upside is undoubtedly the highest in this draft. Ball, a 6-7 Point Guard who is still growing, averaged 17 points a game, Seven rebounds, and six assists. He is a gifted passer and a fluent finisher around the rim. LaMelo Ball possesses the ability to make everyone on the Bulls better. Ball is just 19 years old, but if you want to win, you put the ball in his hands and make him your franchise player. Yes, you have Coby White, but you cannot pass on a generational talent like Ball if you can get him.
With the 4th pick in the draft to secure LaMelo Ball, they’re going to have to make some trades to do it, and luckily for them, teams are willing. The Minnesota Timberwolves own the first pick in the draft; however, with Star point guard D’Angelo Russell already on the roster, it seems unlikely the Wolves will take Ball. Star guard from Georgia, Anthony Edwards, seems like an ideal fit here. The second pick belongs to the Golden State Warriors. The Golden State Warriors, a team with championship aspirations, will be looking to trade their pick for veteran players who can help them win right away. Golden State is projected to draft big man James Wiseman who will still be available at Four should they pass on him. The Bulls will have to sweeten the pot for Golden State if they have any chance of pulling this trade-off. Zach Lavine would be at the cornerstone of a trade like this, also the Bulls are going to have to swap their fourth overall pick for the Warriors second. Both teams have something the other wants. Golden State could use another scoring threat like Lavine, and the Bulls need LaMelo. It’s a win-win for both teams, and the Warriors will still be able to take Wiseman with Chicago’s original pick at four. The biggest thing in this deal will be if the Warriors can find a way to take Lavine’s contract; and how high do the Bulls regard LaMelo Ball. If you think he’s your future, you do whatever you can to draft him. Draft day is Wednesday, November 18th, and it will be a special one.