A trade up is a realistic possibility for the Chicago Bulls in the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft.
Next Wednesday, the Chicago Bulls and their new brass will have the opportunity to change the direction of this franchise for the better. It will be the first draft night for Vice President Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley.
The 2020 NBA Draft is going to be a different one for many reasons. Of course, it’s happening months later than normal. Secondly, it’s amidst one of the quickest versions of an NBA offseason we’ve ever seen.
But, most notably, this draft will be different because, for the most part, there are no true superstars to be seen — at least that’s what most experts say.
One of the very few big names, though, could end up going first overall. One of the latest reports from ESPN’s Jonathan Givony says that sources around the league believe LaMelo Ball will be the first player selected. However, in the same breath, Givony says the expectation is that the Minnesota Timberwolves trade down from the no. 1 overall pick.
But, which teams will be interested in moving up to select Ball?
it just so happens the Chicago Bulls are one of three teams likely to trade up to no. 1.
Givony lists Chicago, the Detroit Pistons and the Oklahoma City Thunder as the trio of teams likely to trade up and select Ball with that first pick.
The Bulls are in the best position for bargaining due to possessing the highest first rounder of the three organizations. Chicago also has a few intriguing trade chips for a team like Minnesota, who wants to pair someone else with Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell.
If the Bulls indeed traded up and selected Ball, they would have quite the situation on their hands at the point guard position. Last year, Coby White flashed the potential to be a force at that position. But, if Ball ends up in Chicago, what happens to White’s future in Chicago?
The best question regarding those two is, are we so sure White isn’t going to have a better career than Ball in the long run? At this very moment, most fans would likely opt for White over Ball as the team’s starting point guard.
Would the Bulls then totally switch things up and deal Zach LaVine to another team, after likely having to trade someone like Wendell Carter Jr. in a deal for the no. 1 pick? There are a ton of possibilities here, but the bottom line is, White must stay in Chicago.
The Bulls’ new brass seems like they are ready to be aggressive, which is a positive. However, fans should hope they are smart enough to keep White around and not risk as much to land someone such as Ball, who has many question marks as to how he’ll transition to the pro game.
Buckle up, Bulls fans. It’s going to be one heck of a week leading up to draft night.
