Third Times the Charm

Posted on by rokdeezbullsblog

For the third year in a row the Chicago Bulls will have the 7th pick in the NBA Draft. I haven’t looked it up, but I’m pretty sure no other team has done that. The dreams of Zion Williamson and Ja Morant in a Bulls jersey must fade, but don’t be too glum, “Luck and hope are not a strategy or a plan” as John Paxson would say.

Here’s how it all shook out…

I blame Horace Grant, the Bulls representative at the Draft Lottery, he didn’t wear his signature goggles for the big event.

Is there life after Ja and Zion?

I’m glad the Front Office has scouted more than 7 players, especially since they have a pick in the 2nd round. In some ways, the uncertainty of the 7th overall is more exciting than a clear cut 1st and 2nd pick. For one thing, this is what John Paxson and Gar Forman are best at, finding solid NBA talent in the middle of the draft. If you’re going to be picking 7th overall you want GarPax to find you a player.

But the 7th pick in this particular draft seems to be more of a crap shoot than any year before that. There is a real possibility that the Bulls try to trade the pick. History points to GarPax trying to trade up for a better pick, they rarely trade back.

Another possibility is a trade with the L.A. Lakers for disgruntled point guard Lonzo Ball. The rumors were flying at the trade deadline regarding Ball and the Bulls, and they resurfaced last night just a few hours before the Lottery drawing. Could the Ball family be heading to Chicago? I guess we’ll find out.

In the weeks to come, I’ll try to fill out a Bulls draft board for the 7th pick and beyond. Like Paxson said, there are more than seven players to like in this draft. Wings like De’Andre Hunter from Virginia and Cam Reddish from Duke, Bigs such as Jaxson Hayes of Texas and Brandon Clarke from Gonzaga, and even point guards I’ve covered before, Darius Garland and Coby White, could be available at number 7.

DeAndreHunterNationalChamp
De’Andre Hunter cuts down the net after winning the NCAA National Championship for Virginia. Photo stolen from John McDonnell and the Washington Post.

Before I end this week, here is a piece of an impromptu presser John Paxson gave after the Lottery ended…

And for those of you who still need some hope…

As always, thanks for reading and GO BULLS!