NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bulls are sitting on the bench at recess.
Portland is playing four-square with the Pelicans. Charlotte is seeing if anyone wants to go on the monkey bars. Dallas is trying to catch someone in freeze tag. Heck, even the Wizards just started a big game of knockout. An increasing number of teams are starting to get in on the fun with just over a week to go until the 2023 NBA Draft. Will the Bulls get off their butt and join?
Indeed, the draft rumors started to pick up steam with the NBA Finals coming to a close earlier this week. Signs continue to point toward an extremely active first round with many teams, unsurprisingly, eyeing the lottery. But don’t take my word for it.
Here’s what ESPN’s Brian Windhorst had to say on Tuesday:
“We could see three or four picks in the top 10 get traded,” Windhorst stated on ESPN’s Get Up. “Watch for Portland at No. 3 looking to add people around Dame Lillard. Houston at No. 4 has indicated they might be interested in moving. Detroit at No. 5 and Dallas at No. 10. And nobody is really sure what Charlotte is going to do at No. 2 with the player they draft.”
Let the chaos begin!
Now, I do think it would be pretty shocking if we saw that many picks within the top 10 moved. Chances are there are some teams interested in multiple picks, so if they were to acquire one, it could lead to another deal not getting done. At the same time, we all know the NBA offseason has a knack for being rather unpredictable.
We also know that several of the teams Windhorst mentioned are looking to play competitive basketball ASAP. Portland seemingly wants to continue building around Damian Lillard with win-now talent. The Houston Rockets appear prime to spend big in free agency to try to re-enter the postseason discussion. Dallas has one of the best players in the NBA in Luka Doncic and certainly doesn’t want to waste another year by missing the postseason altogether. And these aren’t the only teams who are reportedly in the market for proven upgrades.
If we step outside the lottery, we find a team like the Indiana Pacers, who own both the No 26 and No. 29 picks. While those could be used for a possible trade up the board, there have also been rumors about wanting to add veteran talent around blossoming young guard Tyrese Haliburton.
With so many teams seemingly willing to strike a deal, it’s time for the Chicago Bulls to take a walk around the blacktop. They don’t need to commit to one game just yet, but they’re putting themselves at a disadvantage if they don’t at least try a game of four square or take a swing on those monkey bars.
And, look, they don’t have to begin a full-blown rebuild to make a pursuit of a first-round pick worthwhile! Am I leaning toward preferring that outcome? Yes … or at least an outcome that sees them shake up this “Big 3.” But the Denver Nuggets just reminded us that it’s always wise to prioritize adding young talent. I mean, they just made a trade DURING THE NBA FINALS to acquire multiple picks in this year’s draft. What does that tell us? Player development and cheap contracts are always crucial!
At the end of the day, though, if the Bulls are at all hesitant about where building around this current core will lead (and they should be), this upcoming draft presents a great opportunity. All reports seem to indicate that teams are eager to pick up the phone and talk business. I’m simply crossing my fingers that the Bulls recognize that, particularly when we consider the limited spending power they’re projected to have in free agency.
