Tag: 2024 NBA Draft

What is the Chicago Bulls’ biggest need in the 2024 NBA Draft?

What do the Chicago Bulls need to target in the 2024 NBA Draft?

The Chicago Bulls have a tall task in front of them this summer as they look to completely reshape a roster that seemed doomed from the jump. After a hot start in 2021, an injury to Lonzo Ball completely derailed their success, and since then, the Bulls have never been close to the same.

So, with Arturas Karnisovas finally admitting that the current roster isn’t working, they’ll be looking to shake things up this offseason. A big part of that will be their work in the 2024 NBA Draft, as they’ll have a chance to snag a young prospect who can help lead them into the future.

But that begs the question: What is the Bulls’ biggest need in the 2024 NBA Draft? The CHGO Sports YouTube channel recently discussed this very topic.

Chicago could just try to get the best player available, they could target shooting, or they could find a forward that fits with their current lineup. The options are seemingly limitless.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Kansas All-American Hunter Dickinson to return for 5th college season

Dickinson was named a consensus second-team All-American, averaging 17.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks.

Kansas senior Hunter Dickinson announced Friday on social media that he will return to school to play the 2024-25 season with the Jayhawks, his fifth season in college.

Dickinson was named a consensus second-team All-American this past season, averaging 17.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks on 54.8% shooting from the field. He ranked eighth in the country in rebounding and 12th in double-doubles (17).

He was also named to the All-Big 12 first team.

The 7-footer joined the Jayhawks last year after spending his first three seasons in college at Michigan. He was one of four active players in Division I this season with at least 2,200 career points and 1,100 rebounds, joining Zach Edey, Armando Bacot and Baylor Schereman.

Dickinson will return to a team with the sixth-ranked incoming recruiting class, headlined by top-50 prospects Flory Bidunga (No. 11) and Rakease Passmore (No. 50). Jayhawks coach Bill Self is also adding Rylen Griffin (Alabama) and AJ Storr (Wisconsin) via the transfer portal.

Kansas will likely be the front-runner to be the preseason No. 1 team in the country next season, with Dickinson back in the fold. The team also returns starters Dajuan Harris Jr. and K.J. Adams, likely making it the favorite in the Big 12.

The Jayhawks (22-10) made their 51st appearance in the NCAA Tournament this past season as the fourth seed. They lost to No. 5 Gonzaga in the second round.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 tag=650261127]

Miami freshman Kyshawn George to forgo eligibility, declare for 2024 NBA draft

George was the only freshman in the ACC to average at least seven points and three rebounds in fewer than 25 minutes per game.

Miami freshman Kyshawn George told Jonathan Givony of ESPN that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility and declare for the 2024 NBA draft.

George, born in Switzerland, averaged 7.6 points, three rebounds and 2.2 assists on 42.6% shooting from the field. He was the only freshman in the ACC to average at least seven points and three rebounds in fewer than 25 minutes per game (23.0).

The 20-year-old scored in double figures 12 times, including a season-high 20 points and eight rebounds on Jan. 6. He became the first Miami freshman to score at least 20 points in a game since Isaiah Wong produced 27 on Feb. 19, 2020.

George played four years with Élan Chalon in France before joining the Hurricanes. He was named to the All-U21 Espoir Pro B first team last season, averaging 17.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 steals for the under-21 team.

The 6-foot-8 guard is considered a potential first-round pick. He has impressed in spurts as a perimeter defender and his ability to space the floor, converting 40.8% from 3-point range on 4.2 attempts per game. He also has a good feel for the game and is a good passer.

George also represented Switzerland in the 2019 FIBA U16 European Championship Division B, averaging 2.5 points and 1.3 assists in six appearances.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

Spanish guard Juan Núñez announces decision to declare for 2024 NBA draft

Núñez is averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals on 49% shooting from the field in 45 games across all competitions.

Juan Núñez, a 6-foot-4 guard from Spain, announced Friday on social media that he is declaring for the 2024 NBA draft after two seasons with Ratiopharm Ulm in Germany.

Núñez is averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals on 49% shooting from the field in 45 games across all competitions. He recently produced his best game of the season on March 9, recording 20 points, five assists and three rebounds.

The 19-year-old spent two years with the Real Madrid youth team to begin his career. He then played one season with the senior team and helped it win the Spanish League in 2022. Núñez signed with Ratiopharm Ulm and won the Basketball Bundesliga title last year.

Núñez is considered a potential first-round pick. He is viewed as perhaps the top point guard in the draft, given his tremendous court vision and ability to make every pass. He thrives in pick-and-roll situations, as a result, and can keep it himself and get downhill and finish at the rim.

He helped his draft stock last year with a strong showing for Spain in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. He averaged five points, 5.2 assists and 3.2 rebounds in five games on 37.5% shooting from the field as Spain finished in ninth place.

Núñez projects to fit in well with teams at the next level as a lead guard, though he will need to improve as a defender. However, he has the potential to be effective on offense and emerge as a walking highlight reel with his flashiness and passing.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

Kevin McCullar: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2001 | 6’7 | 6’9 WS | 212 LBS Team: Kansas Best aggregate mock draft rank: 7 / Worst rank: 35 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, McCullar Jr. averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 45.4 percent from the …

2001 | 6’7 | 6’9 WS | 212 LBS

Team: Kansas

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 7 / Worst rank: 35

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, McCullar Jr. averaged 18.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 0.4 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game. He shot 45.4 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three, and 80.5 percent from the foul line.

Bulls NBA Draft Prospect Profile: Dalton Knecht

As the Chicago Bulls prepare for the offseason, the 2024 NBA Draft will mark a crucial point for them. After three years of mediocrity with their current core, Arturas Karnisovas finally admitted that the current roster isn’t working. Now, the Bulls …

As the Chicago Bulls prepare for the offseason, the 2024 NBA Draft will mark a crucial point for them. After three years of mediocrity with their current core, Arturas Karnisovas finally admitted that the current roster isn’t working. Now, the Bulls should be looking to plan for the future, and that will start with who they are able to select in the upcoming draft.

The emergence of Coby White as a potential star this season was monumental for the Bulls, as they now have a guy they can partially build around moving forward. Ayo Dosunmu falls under that same category, as he also enjoyed a great 2023-24 season. But they cannot do it alone, and the Bulls will need to add some young talent around them if they want to brighten their future.

Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht could be a guy they look to target. Some mock drafts have the 23-year-old being off the board by the time Chicago’s pick comes around, but his shooting and scoring ability make him a very intriguing fit for the Bulls.

The NBA Mock Draft ESPN posted on April 17 has Knecht going to the Houston Rockets at pick nine.

“The Rockets turned the page on their rebuilding process by hiring head coach Ime Udoka and making a splash in free agency last summer, indicating they could look at more ready-made players with this pick considering the plethora of youth already on the roster,” wrote Jonathan Givony. “Shooting will likely be a priority for Houston this summer, and the dynamic perimeter game of the nearly 23-year-old Knecht — who made 40% of his 3s this season — could be attractive with this pick.”

Bleacher Report’s NBA Mock Draft on April 22 has Knecht falling to the Utah Jazz with the eighth pick.

“Despite the loss to Purdue, Dalton Knecht added another special scoring performance to a resume that already shows 30-40-point games against Kentucky, Auburn, North Carolina, South Carolina and Florida,” wrote Jonathan Wasserman. “He put up 37 points in the Elite Eight off mostly signature shotmaking that scouts deem translatable, given his size, stroke and general shooting versatility. He seemingly has an ideal skill set for a complementary role at the next level, where he can space the floor, curl off screens and take dribble handoffs into pull-ups or drives.

“Turning 23 years old this month, Knecht will have some skeptics who worry about age for a lottery pick. But most teams won’t be overly picky in 2024. The idea of adding a plug-and-play scorer with a valued core skill and professional approach will look appealing outside the top five.”

In the mock draft posted by No Ceilings on April 9, Knecht goes to the Memphis Grizzlies at seven.

“Despite being burdened with a heavy offensive load and heaps of defensive attention, Knecht managed to knock down 42.4% of his threes during conference play this season,” wrote Maxwell Baumbach. “Chase him off the line, and he may put someone on a poster. Knecht registered 27 dunks this past season. That’s an excellent mark for a wing, but it’s even more impressive when taking into account that he both missed time and played through injury.

“While he may be older, Knecht may also boast more upside than his fellow graduate peers, as he’s a late bloomer who didn’t finish growing until college and just completed his first high-major season. Defensively, Knecht needs to make improvements, but Tennessee wasn’t worse with him on the court on that end.”

This is a weird draft. It’s been heralded as the worst draft in a long time, but Knecht seems like a great player. The question is, should the Bulls want to grab someone a bit younger?

Knecht has a great NBA skill set. With his shooting and ability to score in bunches, he makes a ton of sense for the Bulls in terms of his on-court fit. But if the Bulls want to plan for the future, drafting someone a bit younger could make some sense.

That said, at this point, the Bulls should just want to grab the best player available. If Knecht falls to the Bulls at pick 11, they should definitely seriously consider snagging the Tennessee product.

New mock draft has San Antonio Spurs take 3-and-D forward

Still a little raw but polished enough to play with San Antonio next season, we’d be open to a flier on this young swingman,

Would it make sense for the San Antonio Spurs to use their late second round pick to draft a 3-and-D forward? If you ask Bleacher Report NBA draft expert Jonathan Wasserman his opinion, the answer is yes — and he has one in mind for the Spurs to consider in his latest mock draft.

Wasserman currently has San Antonio taking Baylor forward Jalen Bridges with the 46th overall pick of the draft this summer. A 6-foot-9 22-year-old, Bridges has been compared to Florida alum Dorian Finney-Smith. “Scouts are starting to mention Jalen Bridges in the second-round sleeper discussion,” suggests the B/R draft expert.

“After hitting 6-of-10 3s in two NCAA tournament games, he finished the year at 41.2% on 5.1 attempts per game.”

“Even if teams aren’t buying the improved self-creation and pull-up flashes, he’s developed into an accurate off-ball shot maker (15-of-27 off screens) with an excellent defensive profile,” writes Wasserman.

Still a little raw but polished enough to play with San Antonio next season, we’d be open to a flier on this young swingman,

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Bobi Klintman: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2003 | 6’10 | 225 lbs | 7’1 WS Team: Cairns Taipans (Australia) Best aggregate mock draft rank: 21 / Worst rank: NR 2023-24 stats: In 2023-24, Klintman averaged 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 44.3 …

2003 | 6’10 | 225 lbs | 7’1 WS

Team: Cairns Taipans (Australia)

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 21 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Klintman averaged 9.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. He shot 44.3 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three.

Tidjane Salaün, a projected first-round pick from France, declares for NBA draft

Salaün, who will turn 19 in August, is averaging 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and one steal with Cholet Basket in France.

Tidjane Salaün, a 6-foot-9 forward from France, told Jonathan Givony of ESPN on Thursday that he had declared for the 2024 NBA draft after three years with Cholet Basket.

Salaün, who will turn 19 in August, is averaging 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and one steal on 33% shooting from 3-point range in 48 games. He started 48 games between all competitions and is among the team leaders in scoring and rebounding.

He started playing with the Cholet Basket youth team in 2021 before joining the senior roster for this season. He is producing at a high level against some of the top teams across Europe and is emerging as one of the top international prospects.

Salaün is considered a potential lottery pick. He has dazzled with his ability to handle the ball in transition, drive and finish at the rim. He crashes the glass on both ends of the court with force and can also defend multiple positions with his reported 7-foot, 2-inch wingspan.

He represented France last year in the FIBA U18 European Championship, averaging 12.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 1.4 assists in seven games. It was his first time playing for his country after he was previously cut from its under-17 team.

With Cholet Basket still in its season and competing for a playoff spot, Salaün likely won’t arrive in the United States until later in the pre-draft process. He will have the opportunity to meet with teams for interviews and workouts once his season is over.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]

French prospect Melvin Ajinça, a potential first-round pick, to enter 2024 NBA draft

Ajinça recently returned from a two-month injury absence and put up his best outing, recording 19 points and nine rebounds in a win.

Melvin Ajinça, a 6-foot-7 forward from France, has declared for the 2024 NBA draft after one season with Saint-Quentin in the LNB Pro A, his agent, Bouna Ndiaye, told ESPN on Wednesday.

Ajinça, the cousin of former seven-year veteran Alexis Ajinca, is averaging 10.4 points and 3.3 rebounds on 35.1% shooting from 3-point range. He recently returned from a two-month injury absence and had his best outing on Saturday, recording 19 points and nine rebounds in a win.

He started the year a bit slowly after transitioning to the top league in France, but he eventually settled in and showcased himself at a high level. His return has helped Saint-Quentin in its attempt to qualify for the playoffs.

Ajinça, who will turn 20 on the first night of the draft, began playing professionally in 2019 with Centre Fédéral de Basket-ball. He eventually joined Saint-Quentin with the junior team before earning promotion to the senior roster this season.

He is considered a potential first-round pick this year. He brings good size to the next level and is highly touted for his shooting ability with his smooth lefty stroke. He has a quick release and is lethal, at times, coming off screens and on the move.

He leaped up draft boards after a tremendous showing with France last year in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup alongside Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr. He was the second-leading scorer on the team, averaging 19.3 points and 2.9 rebounds en route to the silver medal.

The 2024 NBA draft will take place June 26-27 in New York City.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=650262612]