Not many safe picks in NBA draft
After the championship era ended, there were plenty of times when the NBA Draft, or maybe the lottery, was the biggest night of the year for the Bulls.
On Thursday (6 p.m., ESPN) when the Bulls will take a seat in the last row and wait for their turn to arrive with the No. 28 and 30 picks of the first rounds, they should be especially glad not to have a lottery selection.
This year’s draft class seems to have few can’t-miss prospects. Based on recent history, the Bulls’ chances of finding a good player are probably just as good as a team picking in the 12-20 range.
“Any draft, we’ve spent years studying guys — and not only on the floor but getting background information,” general manager Gar Forman said. “When we broke it down, I think there were 20 players that we feel will definitely be gone. In that next group of players we’re looking at, we think we’ll get two guys that will be serviceable players that will fit with us.”
Here’s a quick review of some players who should be available when the Bulls choose:
Ÿ Shelvin Mack, 6-3 guard, Butler: A catalyst in Butler’s incredible NCAA tournament runs the past two years, maybe he can do the same in the playoffs for the Bulls.
Ÿ Travis Leslie, 6-4 guard, Georgia: Strong and athletic, he has the tools to become an excellent defender, along with improving offensive skills.
Ÿ Charles Jenkins, 6-3 guard, Hofstra: Not a skywalker, but tough to argue with 22.6 points and 51.7-percent shooting last season.
Ÿ Nolan Smith, 6-4 guard, Duke: Another veteran of NCAA tournament pressure, and GM Forman admitted the Bulls like players from winning programs.
Ÿ Darius Morris, 6-5 guard, Michigan: A taller guard who can get to the basket. His outside shot needs work.
Ÿ Norris Cole, 6-2 guard, Cleveland State: Athletic point guard averaged 21.7 points last season.
Ÿ JaJuan Johnson, 6-10 forward, Purdue: Improved during four years of college and tested well athletically at predraft camp.
Ÿ Justin Harper, 6-8 forward, Richmond: Shot 45 percent from 3-point range last season and helped lead Spiders to regional semifinals.
Ÿ Keith Benson, 6-11 center, Oakland: Late-bloomer could add depth inside. He averaged 3.6 blocks last season.
Ÿ Jimmy Butler, 6-8 forward, Marquette: If the Bulls seek an extra defender to throw at LeBron James, Butler could be the guy.
Forman suggested the Bulls probably won’t take an international player who will remain overseas for a few years. With all those guards likely to be on the board, it seems inevitable the Bulls will add someone who might be able to bring more scoring to the shooting guard spot.
The Bulls also own the No. 43 overall pick in the second round, but Forman doesn’t believe the team will keep three rookies next season, so this might be a spot for an international player.
In the first hour of Thursday’s main event, which will be held at Newark’s Prudential Center, most of the struggling teams will draft on potential and cross their fingers. Consider these options:
Cleveland is expected to snag Duke point guard Kyrie Irving with the top pick, but he played just 11 games during his freshman season because of a foot injury.
Arizona forward Derrick Williams will almost certainly go second, but Minnesota is wondering if he’ll fit with Kevin Love and has been shopping the pick.
After that, Utah might choose between a true point guard, Kentucky’s Brandon Knight, and a point guard-sized player who shot Connecticut to the national title last spring, Kemba Walker.
Then consider these four European players who are first-round candidates. First there’s 6-11 Enes Kanter, an enormously-skilled native of Turkey. His last competitive basketball, however, was played two years ago at Stoneridge Prep in California. He planned to play at Kentucky last season, but was ruled ineligible because the NCAA said he already played professionally overseas.
Jonas Valanciunas is a true center at 6-11 and a very intriguing talent. But reports say he’ll likely spend another season, maybe even two, in Europe with his club team, Lietuvos Rytas. Since a lockout might shorten the season anyway, this shouldn’t be a big deal.
Jan Vesely, a 6-11 forward from Czech Republic, was a dunking machine in Europe for Partizan Belgrade. Is he going to bring that sort of power to the NBA? Not many Europeans have been able to do it.
Then there’s 7-foot Donatas Motiejunas, sort of a less athletic, but more skilled version of Vesely.
If the Europeans don’t build confidence, how about banking your team’s future on Texas forward Tristan Thompson, who averaged 13 points and 8 rebounds in his lone college season. Or Colorado’s Alec Burks, a shooting guard who knocked down less than 30 percent of his 3-point attempts last season? Or Washington State guard Klay Thompson, who was arrested on charges of marijuana possession in March?
Some of these guys are bound to become stars down the road. But the Bulls should be thankful they’re looking only for minor pieces in this draft.