A new coach isn't only item on Bulls' agenda
More than a month into their coaching search, the Bulls have interviewed one candidate who has yet to accept a different job -- broadcaster Mark Jackson.
So there may be a long way to go. Utah assistant Tyrone Corbin could be the next to speak to Bulls general manager John Paxson, since the Jazz have been eliminated. Other candidates continue to stay busy in the playoffs.
Some names believed to be on the Bulls' expanded list of potential interviews are former Nuggets coach and Mount Prospect native Jeff Bzdelik, Rockets assistant Elston Turner, Lakers assistant Kurt Rambis, Spurs assistant Mike Budenholzer and Pistons assistant Terry Porter. The Cleveland Plain-Dealer suggested that former Spurs, Sixers and Cavs coach John Lucas is a candidate.
In the meantime, a different task is about to land on Paxson's plate. The NBA draft lottery is Tuesday in Secaucus, N.J., to determine the first three slots in the June 26 draft. Bulls marketing director Steve Schanwald will reprise last year's role of representing the Bulls on stage.
The teams with the best chance of earning the top picks, in order, are Miami, Seattle, Minnesota, Memphis, New York and the Los Angeles Clippers. Portland and Seattle moved up from the fifth and sixth spots to win the top two picks last year.
The Bulls will have 1.7 percent of the ping-pong ball combinations. So while it's OK to dream, prepare for the reality of the No. 9 pick.
Two obvious needs for the Bulls are point guard and a big man. The only point guard who figures to be a candidate at No. 9 is Texas' 5-foot-11 D.J. Augustin.
But there are a boatload of big men with low-lottery potential. Most are college freshmen who kept a low profile last season. So here's a rundown of some possibilities for the Bulls:
Kevin Love, 6-9, UCLA:ŒOut of this group, Love is the one guy who seems to be polished and also a proven winner, having helped lead the Bruins to the Final Four. He also could go higher than No. 9.
Love is a strong rebounder (10.6 per game) and may be the best outlet passer the game has ever seen. But at 6-9, will he score in the spot or be much of a defender in the NBA?
Anthony Randolph, 6-11, LSU: He's supposed to be more of a multi-skilled big man in the vein of Lamar Odom than another Tyrus Thomas. Randolph is very thin, listed at 220 pounds, but flashed plenty of potential (15.6 ppg, 8.5 rpg) on a poor LSU team.
DeAndre Jordan, 7-0, Texas A&M:ŒThis guy looks good in theory but has to be considered a major project. He averaged 7.9 points in just 20 minutes per game during his freshman season.
JaVale McGee, 7-0, Nevada: A Chicago native who attended Hales Franciscan, McGee has tantalizing athletic skills and was reasonably productive as a sophomore (14.1 ppg). He's also very inconsistent and another high-risk, high-reward pick. His parents are former Illinois power forward George Montgomery and former USC star Pam McGee.
Robin Lopez, 7-0, Stanford: Projected to be a strong defender, but not as gifted offensively as twin brother Brook, who is expected to be one of the top five picks.
Kosta Koufos, 7-1, Ohio State:ΠHe showed some post scoring skills during his lone season with the Buckeyes, though some would argue he lacked toughness (6.7 rpg).
Donte Green, 6-10, Syracuse: Baltimore native has a nice-looking jumper but probably shot way too many 3-pointers for someone his size.
Alexis Ajinca, 7-1, France:ΠHe's shown the potential to be a shot blocker but is very thin and didn't play much on his French team last season.
Roy Hibbert, 7-2, Georgetown: Thought to be a possible top-10 pick if he came out last year, Hibbert's stock has apparently dropped following his senior season (13.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg). He did shoot 60 percent from the field, though.