Chicago Bulls Mock Draft 1.0 : Bulls Build Toward Contention

By: Will Farlow

The Chicago Bulls are headed into a new era for their historic franchise. The Bulls have a new front office in new Executive of Basketball Operations Arturas Karnisovas, general manager Marc Eversly, VP of Player Personnel Pat Connelly, and Assistant GM J. J Polk. The Bulls also have a new head coach in Billy Donovan along with assistants Chris Fleming, Josh Longstaff, Maurice Cheeks. Heading into the 2020 NBA Draft the Chicago Bulls are picking fourth with the chance to possibly trade up or stay at 4 and fill their needs at small forward. Chicago features talented players such as Colby White, Zach Lavine, Lauri Markannen, and Wendell Carter Jr. in a strong core that with the NBA Draft can be added to for the future. The Bulls also have a need at point guard , front court , or some type of play maker that in my opinion take this team to the next level toward contention. Here are my takes on what new Executive VP Arturas Karnisovas should do his first draft with this new Bulls front office. 

Round 1 

Trade Alert! 

The Chicago Bulls trade the 4th overall pick and center Wendell Carter Jr. to the Golden State Warriors for the second overall pick

Round 1: Pick 2 

James Wiseman  C  Memphis 

New Executive VP Arturas Karnisovas and the revamped Bulls front office hit a home run with slight risk in this trade up to the second overall pick. I had predictions that the Bulls would stay put at 4 and draft a wing , however, opportunity can knock and that is the case as the Chicago Bulls select center James Wiseman with the second overall pick. Wiseman has great size, and in my opinion is a solid rebounder and post presence Bulls fan will enjoy for a long time. I think his is a better quality center for Chicago as Wendell didn't in my opinion mesh well with Markannen. Wiseman slides in well to me with a talented power forward in Lauri Markannen giving the Bulls a solid front court moving forward. I like this low risk trade up by Karnisovas in his first draft pick for the Chicago Bulls.  

Trade Alert!  

The Chicago Bulls trade star shooting guard Zach Lavine to the New York Knicks for the eighth overall pick, small forward Kevin Knox II, point guard Dennis Smith Jr. , and a 2021 first round pick

​Round 1: Pick 8  Isaac Okoro  SF   Auburn  

The Chicago Bulls receive a call from the New York Knicks a team in need of a star as Chicago trades Zach Lavine to New York. Arturas Karnisovas sees the need for a wing in the Chicago Bulls roster and acquires the eighth overall pick, a future first rounder, and young talents in Knox and Smith Jr. to add an already talented young Bulls roster. I like how Smith Jr. adds defense to the Bulls backcourt, and Knox good long term depth at small forward when The Bulls select with the 8th overall pick a talented wing in Isaac Okoro out of Auburn. I like this move for Chicago as it solves an issue at wing plus a defensive upgrade. I like the upside of Okoro who has strong defensive skill along with being a fairly good shooter. This is a good pick for the Chicago Bulls and the future of the franchise.  

Round 2

Round 2: Pick 44  Cassius Winston  PG  Michigan State   

I have the Chicago Bulls sticking here in Round 2 as Arturas finishes off a strong draft as his first as head of the Bulls front office. The Bulls see their need for depth at point guard by selecting Cassius Winston the point guard out of Michigan State. Winston to me solves an issue Arturas addressed as a need for good passing ability he seeks at the point guard position. After the trade with New York, Winston joins young point guard Dennis Smith Jr. , and Tomas Satoransky with Colby White taking over at starting shooting guard. I like Winston's three point shot and ability to pass well , and help the Chicago Bulls improve at the point guard position. This final pick is a good ending to the first draft by the new front office that Bulls fans can be excited about as the Bulls ahead into free agency with the goal of contention in sight.  

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