NBA Draft Rumors: Chicago Bulls looking to trade up

There have been a lot of rumors surrounding the Chicago Bulls and their pursuit of New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony and more recently Orlando Magic guard Arron Afflalo.

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The Bulls may indeed make a deal this week, but it may not be the type of deal many expect.

According to Matt Moore of CBS Sports, the Bulls are looking to use their two first round picks, the 16th-overall and 19th-overall selections, to move up and grab one superior player rather than two inferior players.

"This is what they (reportedly) want to do. The idea is that instead of a project or role-player wing and big, they want to move up and grab an elite shooter, either Harris or Stauskas. That makes sense, but you wonder if a young guy will be ready to compete at the kind of level they need. Trading down doesn’t seem like as likely of an idea, considering where they’re headed and the likelihood of wanting veterans and no more than 14 on the roster."

Former Michigan Wolverines’ swingman Nik Stauskas and former Michigan State Spartans’ guard Gary Harris could be options if they move up.

Stauskas put up 17.5 points, 3.3 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. He shot 47.0% from the field, 44.2% from beyond the arc and 82.4% from the free throw line. At the NBA’s Scouting Combine, he measured in at 6’6.5 and 207 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’7.75. He is currently ranked as the 14th-overall prospect in the draft by Jonathan Givony of Draft Express.

Harris is ranked as the 13th-best prospect in the draft. He measured in at 6’4.5 and 205 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’6.75 at the NBA’s Scouting Combine. He averaged 16.7 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 42.9% from the field, 35.2% from the free throw line and 81.0% from the free throw line.

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