When discussing big market teams in the lottery for the upcoming 2020 NBA Draft, the conversation usually centers on the New York Knicks. The Chicago Bulls, though, are also a big market side that could just as easily find itself in the running for LaMelo Ball in this fall’s draft.
The Bulls actually find themselves one spot behind the Knicks in the upcoming lottery, giving them marginally worse chances at moving into the top three for the most realistic shot at landing Ball. While the Bulls don’t have quite the need for a point guard as the Knicks, Ball would still be just as interesting in Chicago as he would be in New York.
NBC Sports’ latest mock draft by James Ham slotted Ball to the Bulls with the No. 2 pick in his latest mock draft. Here’s Ham’s explanation of why Ball would make sense in Chicago.
“This might be the perfect spot for Ball to land. Chicago has talent, but they lack that one player who is willing to take ownership of the team. LaMelo looks like the most talented of the three Ball brothers. Would he fit in a backcourt with Zach LaVine? That’s a concern that can be handled down the road. If the Bulls are lucky enough to climb this high in the draft, they can’t make a mistake.”
Ball would be an interesting fit next to Zach LaVine in the backcourt. Defensively, the two would be a liability like few others in the league. But offensively, they would be as dynamic a young backcourt as any in the league. It would be a conundrum the team would have to address at some point.
For as much talent the Bulls already have, they can afford to take a swing on a player like Ball, too. While his IQ and playmaking ability means he’ll have a place in the NBA for a long time, he’s still a risky selection, especially at No. 2. But if it were to pan out, Ball could be the final piece that puts the Bulls over the top and makes them a contender.
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