2014 NBA Draft Rumors: Chicago Bulls eyeing Adreian Payne
The Chicago Bulls are expected to aggressively pursue a superstar with their top targets being New York Knicks’ forward Carmelo Anthony and Minnesota Timberwolves’ power forward Kevin Love.
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If they land one (and even if they don’t), they will have to add others pieces through the draft. The Bulls hold the 16th and 19th overall picks.
According to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times, former Michigan State Spartans’ forward Adreian Payne would be a fantastic fit with the Bulls.
"THE DRAFTIt’s a good year to have two first-round draft picks, especially with a number of versatile forwards in the pool. Doug McDermott’s scoring would be welcomed, but he likely will be long gone by the time the Bulls select at Nos. 16 and 19. That leaves players such as Adreian Payne, James Young and Jerami Grant.POSSIBLE DRAFT TARGETS: Payne would be ideal because of his ability to stretch the floor."
Jonathan Givony of Draft Express ranks Payne as the 21st-best prospect in the draft and currently projects him to be selected by the Toronto Raptors with the 20th-overall pick (I made the same projection and have the Bulls landing former Syracuse Orange point guard Tyler Ennis and former North Carolina State Wolfpack forward T.J. Warren. You can check that out here.)
Payne averaged 16.4 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season.