Happy NBA Draft Day to one and all.
Following the Josh Giddey trade, the Chicago Bulls roster is officially in flux for the first time in years. With Alex Caruso out the door, and potentially more names to follow, here is a Bulls-centric big board with five of the players I would most want to see the Bulls take with their 11th overall pick.
Most mock drafts have Alexandre Sarr, Donovan Clingan, Zaccharie Risacher, Reed Sheppard, Stephon Castle and Matas Buzelis, Dalton Knecht and Cody Williams going in the top-10. While it’s possible one or more of them slide to the Bulls at 11, I’m looking mostly at guys mocked later on in the top 10 and into the teens.
[Check out our Database and Big Board for more info on Draft Prospects]
1. Ron Holland
Bio: Wing, G League Ignite, 19 years old
Measurements: 6’6.5″ without shoes, 196.8 lbs, 6’10.75″ wingspan, 38 inch vertical
Per game stats: 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists
Shooting efficiency: 47.4 FG%, 23.9 3PT%, 68.2 FT%, 49.8 eFG%, 55.1 TS%
Case for the Bulls: Every team in the league is looking for the next big wing who can create his own shot and defend at the highest level, and if Holland hits even his 75th percentile outcomes, he has a chance to be special.
A big, long, athletic wing, Holland evolved from a defense-first forward at the high school level to a high-usage wing in the G League. It wasn’t always pretty — he struggled as a shooter, turned the ball over a lot and was generally inefficient.
Still, he showed enough flashes to intrigue. Even if he doesn’t scale up in usage as efficiently as one would hope, he can still be a productive cutter, driver off of closeouts and high level defender.
There aren’t too many upside plays in this draft, and Holland is one of them. Getting that kind of potential entering a rebuild would be a smart play for the Bulls as they look to load up on young players for the future.
2. Devin Carter
Bio: Guard, Providence, 22.3 years old
Measurements: 6’2.25″ without shoes, 193 lbs, 6’8.75″ wingspan, 34 inch vertical
Per game stats: 19.7 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists
Shooting efficiency: 47.3 FG%, 37.7 3PT%, 74.9 FT%, 56.4 eFG%, 59.7 TS%
Case for the Bulls: Carter is an athletic, aggressive defensive-minded guard who exploded with offensive usage and efficiency in his junior season. He is the son of former NBA guard Anthony Carter
One of the Bulls hesitations in trading Caruso was that they would immediately have to begin searching for his replacement. Carter could be that guy. No one is going to step into the league as the defensive savant Caruso evolved into, but Carter can help stem the tide.
He rebounds the hell out of the ball, hounds ball handlers over screens and gets a ton of deflections and steals due to his +6.5″ wingspan.
Carter also improved his shooting, both in volume and percentage last season as Providence’s lead initiator. He profiles as more of an off guard at the NBA level, but does have the ability to get his own shot off and create for others. Though his ceiling isn’t quite as high as some of the players we’ll get to on this list, the Bulls coming away with a Marcus Smart or Jalen Suggs type of player would be a massive win at the 11th pick.
3. Nikola Topic
Bio: Guard, Red Star
Measurements: 6’5.75″ without shoes, 203 lbs, 6’5.75″ wingspan
Per game stats: 14.5 points, 3.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists
Shooting efficiency: 49.8 FG%, 30.6 3PT%, 87.8 FT%, 55.1 eFG%, 59.9 TS%
Case for the Bulls: The Bulls, whether they intend to fully commit to it or not, are heading towards a rebuild or re-tool around their younger players.
Coby White broke out last year, but he still was at his best playing off of DeMar DeRozan. Whether he comes back for an additional two years or moves on, the Bulls don’t have anyone on their new timeline that can consistently put pressure on the rim, generate paint touches and draw in help. Few players in this draft get to the rim as easily and consistently as Topic.
Somewhat of a redundant fit with freshly acquired Josh Giddey, Topic needs to improve his jump shot and defense. He’s a risk and a bit of a project, but represents one of the highest ceilings in the draft — something the Bulls should prioritize as they enter this new iteration.
The ACL injury he recently suffered is concerning, if not traumatic to Bulls fans still mourning Derrick Rose and Lonzo Ball’s knees, but it could actually be a boon for the Bulls to give him the year to rehab.
The Bulls could draft and stash Topic, maintaining his draft rights without officially signing his deal. That would extend the clock a year, allowing him to rehab while the team takes a step back in 2024-25.
Then, if they keep their pick currently protected top-10 to the San Antonio Spurs, they could bring Topic and their next pick into the fold to kick start the next era as soon as next season.
4. Kel’el Ware
Bio: Center, Indiana University, 20.2 years old
Measurements: 6’11.75″ without shoes, 230 lbs, 7’4.5″ wingspan, 36 inch vertical
Per game stats: 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.9 blocks
Shooting efficiency: 58.6 FG%, 42.5 3PT%, 63.4 FT%, 61.2 eFG%, 62.1 TS%
The case for the Bulls: With Nikola Vucevic on the decline and Andre Drummond a free agent, the Bulls need a center to build forward with, and one that protects the rim at a high level.
Ware, despite a lower block percentage than most of his first-round counterparts, can be a high-level rim-roller lob threat on offense and shot deterrent and rim protector on defense.
This player archetype has not been a priority for the Bulls front office since they took over in 2020, instead seeking out dribble-pass-shoot centers to help grease the wheels of the offense. But swapping Josh Giddey in for Alex Caruso is going to lead to a much worse defensive frontline, increasing the importance of a high-level defensive backline. Ware, if he hits, could be a Dereck Lively type player that erases mistakes.
Those types of bigs haven’t necessarily been in position to succeed with the Bulls because of the cramped floor and lack of high-level passers. After acquiring Giddey, that has changed, and could open up space for someone like Ware to flourish.
5. Isaiah Collier
Bio: Guard, USC
Measurements: 6’2.5″ without shoes, 204.6 lbs, 6’4.75″ wingspan
Per game stats: 16.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, 4.3 assists
Shooting efficiency: 49 FG%, 33.8 3PT%, 67.3 FT%, 53.3 eFG%, 56.7 TS%
Case for the Bulls: I know, I know, another guard.
The argument for Collier is nearly the same as it is for Topic. Whether or not DeRozan returns, the Bulls need someone who can put pressure on the rim to help create openings for his teammates, and Collier is quite good in that department.
Measuring in a little smaller than advertised, Collier is still a bowling ball of a player. He shot 61.7 percent on close two-point shots on high volume and is a high level passer and facilitator on drives. That element of his game should help guys like White, Dosunmu and Williams get easier shots, which puts them in a better environment to develop their own games.
The questions about Collier’s game are primarily focused around his low percentage, low volume three-point shot. If he can’t develop that, and doesn’t become good enough on the ball to warrant high usage, he could flame out.
