Full Disclosure: As a big time Bulls fan I will occasionally throw in Bulls centric pieces because I can.
With the NBA Draft right around the corner it’s time to discuss the next Chicago Bulls rotational player. The Bulls have a new coach and with him comes a new system, a system more focused on offense than defense. The Bulls do not have much room to make important signings this offseason and those hoping for a trade were shot down when Taj Gibson had surgery putting him out for four months. Unless the Bulls make an unexpected trade, you can expect them to fish for a player who can get some minutes right away with the 22nd pick. These are the players the Bulls are looking at and these are the players they should consider based on their team:
Justin Anderson: Anderson had a great college season where he showed off his ridiculous athleticism. Anderson also had a great season shooting from three. Can he keep up the three point shooting? No, probably not. Scouts are already labeling Anderson a 3 and D guy (three point shooter with good defense) but he’s not quite there yet and may not even be that kind of player. But the tools are there. Anderson has quick feet and brute strength. The potential for a very solid defender is all there. He can move quickly and keep up with his man. If the right team of coaches can teach him the fundamentals a Bulls wing duo of Jimmy Butler and Anderson would be frightening. They would beat up their opponents all game long. Anderson shot 30% and 29% in his first two seasons in Virginia but then made 45% in his junior year. The true number probably lies somewhere in between but a good sign is that his shooting form has changed. Anderson only needs the right coach to put everything together and he could be a starter in the league. He would be an ideal fit for a team lacking a small forward right now beyond Doug McDermott but with Anderson’s stock rising over the last few months one has to wonder if he will still be on the board when Chicago’s selection comes up.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: Just a few years ago Hollis-Jefferson would probably be chosen late in the lottery but the game has changed. The NBA values shooting way too much now for players like Hollis-Jefferson. Hollis-Jefferson will probably end up as the best defender in this draft. He has the body, the quickness, and the fundamentals down. Coaches will love him as he’s a hard worker and does almost everything right except shoot. Hollis-Jefferson is a terrible shooter. His entire shot is broken and that’s a problem because that’s something really hard to fix, ask Charlotte about Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. He makes Tony Allen look like an average shooter. If Hollis-Jefferson turns into even an average shooter from the corner three then this would be a success story. Despite the terrible shooting Hollis-Jefferson brings all the other Bulls needs. He makes excellent cuts, can drive to the rim, and can lock down the opposing team’s player. In the right line up he could succeed. Play Rose, Butler, Hollis-Jefferson, Mirotic, and Gasol together and things suddenly aren’t as difficult for Hollis-Jefferson. He can still succeed on the right team and maybe if the Bulls can load up with more shooting Hollis-Jefferson would help make this one of the best defenses again.
Chris McCullough: This would be a reach and not exactly in the Bulls plans considering he’s coming off an ACL tear and won’t be ready for the start of the season most likely but he could be a gamble that pays off. McCullough is projected to go late in the first round and there have been concerns regarding his motor in the past but when he was on he was quite the force. McCullough blocked shots, caught rebounds, scored in the paint, and showed off a nice mid range game. McCullough could develop a nice pick and pop game with the right point guard and could help with spacing on the Bulls squad. McCullough is still too thin for the NBA at 199 pounds while standing at 6’9 with an enormous 7-3 wingspan. His drive to score in the paint has also been questioned but he’s also only 20 years old. He still has plenty of time to develop in the future and if the Bulls are looking to develop some future bigs this would be a very solid choice.
Jerian Grant: The Bulls need a backup point guard. Rose is still delicate and Kirk Hinrich is a shell of himself. Grant is already 22 years old so he has less room to develop but this also means he can probably step in and contribute from the start. Grant has excellent size for a point guard standing at 6’5. Grant shared playmaking duties with a fellow NBA prospect and still ranked in the top five in assists per 40 minutes. He also turned the ball over very infrequently. However, his shooting is just decent. He’s inconsistent on the defensive end. He’s also missing the physical aspect beyond his height. He doesn’t have the best frame, nor does he have a great vertical. He could be a solid backup but there are better prospects out there and he is likely to be taken either by Houston or Dallas (both also looking for point guards).
Delon Wright: Wright has the same height as Grant but he utilizes it better than Grant. Wright uses his height advantage to see over smaller point guards and make pinpoint passes. Wright doesn’t possess much speed or over the top athleticism but he uses his craftiness and herky jerky dribble moves to trick defenders. Wright has a big bag of tricks and he uses all of them to get to the foul line. Despite his lack of speed he still has quick feet, which he used to become a quality defender. With his size he can also guard both guard spots. The problem with Wright is his bad shooting. He has no pull up shooting, which is a problem for a point guard. Luckily his shot isn’t entirely broken and he can still become at least a decent shooter. He would be a better fit than Grant as a backup point guard and most mock drafts have the Bulls selecting him.


