NBA Mock Draft 2017, Week 14: Markelle Fultz is still no. 1

The Chicago Bulls have been through the ringer this season. From building a roster with no guards who can shoot to internal locker room issues being aired out publicly, the Bulls have run the gamut of controversy. One thing is clear, though. Jimmy Butler is really good at basketball and a piece you can build around, so let’s proceed with that assumption.

Syracuse’s Tyler Lydon would give the Bulls a stretch four alongside Butler who can shoot AND defend. The 6-foot-9 sophomore has a quick release on his jumper with plenty of range. He’s made 42.1 percent of his 214 college 3-point attempts at a rate of 1.8 per 40 minutes and with a 79.7 free throw percentage. He has solid mechanics and is often willing to pull up from several feet behind the college line in order to get an open look. He’s not a high usage option for the Orange, but he’s a very effective offensive role player.

Where Lydon can bring more to the table for Chicago is on the defensive end. Although he’s spent his college career playing in Syracuse’s zone, there’s plenty of upside based on his physical attributes and production so far. The 20-year old has a near 7-foot wingspan that he’s put to use as a weak side rim protector in college, posting a career block rate of 6.2 percent. He also moves well enough along the perimeter to defend out there as required.

Surrounding Butler with some shooting can help open up the game for the Bulls’ star and getting some defense out of that same player is a cherry on top.