Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Terrance Ferguson
Mar 28, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonalds All-American forward Terrance Ferguson dunks during the McDonalds All-American Powerade Jamfest at the Chicago Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Terrance Ferguson

Shooting Guard, Adelaide

When this draft came about, I had five names on the board for the Bulls to take: OG Anunoby, Donovan Mitchell, Justin Jackson, Terrance Ferguson and Luke Kennard. This board was assuming that the Bulls run this past season back like I did with the “DAMN” album from Kendrick Lamar and bring back Rajon Rondo, Dwyane Wade and Nikola Mirotic.

Rondo and Wade will be unrestricted free agents in 2018 and the guards behind them really haven’t shown much in Chicago during their time with the Bulls and/or aren’t that good to begin with. So, I took to the draft. Anunoby would’ve been a top-10 pick if he hadn’t injured his knee. Mitchell soared up the draft board after his combine work. Jackson fits that Bulls mold of experienced college player and could probably take some of the offensive load off of Jimmy Butler. Ferguson is more of a project, but an explosive project that could be a gamble worth taking. Kennard made huge strides between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Duke.

Four of those guys were gone before we went on the clock, so Terrance Ferguson was the move we made. We like Ferguson’s leaping ability, defensive potential and his shooting stroke makes you wonder if he can be a valuable weapon as a 3-and-D star someday. It’ll take some time, but thanks to the Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls aren’t in a hurry to try and win right away. That gives Ferguson some time to progress.

— Michael Whitlow, Pippen Ain’t Easy, @BullsBeatBlog