Chicago Bulls Draft Rankings

Draft night is rapidly approaching. And when your favorite team goes 27–55, draft night becomes the most important night of the year. The future of a good portion of the league will hinge on who they select on the night of June 21. So when it comes to our beloved Chicago Bulls, which player is the right choice? Let’s break it down.

1. Luka Doncic — Doncic is the best player in the draft, no matter what the Phoenix Suns think. He’s certainly got the highest upside with his passing and scoring skills. However, the Bulls don’t have a chance at him.
2. DeAndre Ayton — Once again, there’s zero chance Ayton falls to 7, and it seems like Phoenix is gonna take him at 1. He’s a high upside center with all kinds of offensive skills but questionable effort on the defensive side of the ball.
3. Jaren Jackson, Jr. — Personally, I would actually put JJJ (fun nickname) ahead of Ayton. He is THE perfect center to play alongside Lauri Markkanen. Jackson is an elite rim protector who also projects as a perimeter defender who can hold his own when switched onto guards and wings. The only way Chicago could grab him is a trade with Memphis. I would love to see the Bulls send a package of #7, #22, Portis, and maybe Valentine to Memphis in exchange for pick #4. Not saying it’s gonna happen, but I’d love to see it.
4. Michael Porter, Jr. — I’d love to see MPJ in a Bulls uniform. This is a guy who was considered the top prospect in this draft a year ago. What changed that? An injury. Given, a back injury is scary for any prospect, but with the potential Porter has, I could easily see him being the best player from this draft. Plus, he’s a GREAT fit with this Bulls roster. Now, if he falls to 7, there’s probably some issues with his physical, but I’d still take the gamble.
5. Mohammed Bamba — Bamba is a 6–11 center with a 7–10 WINGSPAN!!! SEVEN FOOT TEN INCHES!!!!!! Mo will be an elite rim protector, with real potential to spread the floor with a three-point shot. But wait… at his workout with the Bulls, Bamba recorded a three quarter court sprint time of 3.04 seconds, faster than Russell Westbrook and John Wall. The chance he falls to the Bulls isn’t good, but he would be an amazing fit with Lauri.
6. Marvin Bagley III — Bagley may be sixth in my rankings for the Bulls, but he’ll likely be taken in the top four. Bagley would not be a good fit for the Bulls. He and Lauri together would be awful defensively. Bagley is a great scorer and rebounder, but really looks like a tweener in the NBA. Either way, he won’t fall to 7.
7. Miles Bridges — The six guys already listed seem to be the first tier of this draft. That’s why it’s so unfortunate that the Bulls landed at #7. Thanks, Niko. If any of those six fall to the Bulls, that will be the choice. If not, Miles Bridges seems to be the best pick. He’s a combo forward with versatile scoring skills, and above average perimeter defense, too.
8. Wendell Carter, Jr. — Carter is a safe bet. He doesn’t have a lot of offensive creating skills, but he can screen, pass, rebound, and defend, both at the rim and on the perimeter. He’s drawing a lot of Al Horford comparisons. This would be an awesome fit alongside Lauri, but the ceiling isn’t as high as some of the players ahead of him.
9. Trae Young — This is a tough one. High ceiling, low floor. In college, Young was an incredible shooter and passer. If he can replicate that in the NBA, he can be a real star. But there are real questions about that, which makes Trae a potential bust, too. His fit with the Bulls is questionable. Is Kris Dunn a franchise point guard? Hard to say. I’m not super into the Bulls taking Trae Young, but I could talk myself into it.
10. Mikal Bridges — Mikal seems like a good 3 and D player. A team like the Sixers could really use him as a role player, but for the Bulls, if you’re looking at a wing, he has to be able to create some more offense. Still, the floor for Bridges is higher than someone like Trae Young. I wouldn’t be upset if the Bulls took him at 7, but I wouldn’t be overjoyed.

The top six guys in this draft are pretty clear — Ayton, Doncic, Bagley, Jackson, Porter, and Bamba. That’s the order of my personal mock draft, but pretty much any mock you find will have those guys going in the top six. However, if the Bulls can grab one of these, they should. If not, it’s Carter or Miles Bridges, at least to me. We’ll see, I guess. Go Bulls.