2013 NBA Draft Results: Chicago Bulls Live Draft Grade
By Ben Beecken
Draft Grade: B
he Chicago Bulls selected swingman Tony Snell out of the University of New Mexico with the twentieth pick in the 2013 draft. This pick was somewhat of a surprise to me, as I was expecting them to select a defensive big man like Louisville’s Gorgui Dieng or Kansas’ Jeff Withey or an athletic guard like Jamaal Franklin out of San Diego State.
Instead, they opted to go with Snell, an athletic small forward that can absolutely do more than hold his own in head coach Tom Thibedoau’s rigorous defensive system. Snell is 6′ 6″ and has nearly a seven-foot wingspan, in addition to shooting at a decent rate from deep at 39% last season.
Snell is a surprising pick here simply because many people had him slipping a little further, possibly even into the second round. I like the pick for the Bulls, and it’ll be fun to watch him slide into the Chicago rotation alongside Derrick Rose. His athleticism is unquestionable and his solid all-around stats and play on the defensive end obviously caused the Bulls to step out on a ledge and grab him at #20.
Some of these defensive-minded centers will slip to playoff teams with picks in the mid-to-late 20’s. The rich get richer, it appears.