Fansided

NBA teams with the most to gain and lose in the 2018 Draft

By Jeremy Morris

SECAUCUS, NJ - MAY 20: A general view of the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery at the NBATV Studios on May 20, 2008 in Secaucus, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - MAY 20: A general view of the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery at the NBATV Studios on May 20, 2008 in Secaucus, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2008 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

7. Chicago Bulls (21-42)

 2018 Picks

  • First Round — projected No. 5 – 8 overall
  • Second Round (from New Orleans) — projected 52nd-57th overall

The 2017-18 Bulls are as much a team in transition as any in the NBA.

Last season, four of their top five players were 28 or older and all four are no longer in Chicago. Robin Lopez is the only holdover from last year’s starting lineup and with their current roster, the Bulls are the NBA’s second-youngest team.

Instead of four players pushing or well over 30, they now feature a rotation with four of their top five players being 23 or younger (Lauri Markkanen — 20, Zach LaVine — 22, Kris Dunn — 23, and Bobby Portis — 22).

Markkanen, Dunn, and Portis, along with wing, Denzel Valentine and center, Cristiano Felicio make up a core of players, all 25 or younger, who are signed through next season and are likely to each play a large part in what the next five years look like in Chicago.

Markkanen’s deal is good through 2021 and Dunn’s through 2020. Both will be eligible for extensions over the next two seasons and will likely be priorities for the Bulls along with Bobby Portis, who is eligible for an extension this offseason.

Zach LaVine, who was acquired in last season’s trade with Minnesota, missed all of last season for the Bulls and most of this coming off a torn ACL. He has played extremely well since he returned playing shooting guard as well as some point. His 17 points per game in 19 appearances has been a welcomed complement to Kris Dunn’s scoring from the perimeter.

David Nwaba, who was claimed off waivers last July and signed to a one year deal was a fairly anonymous offseason addition but Nwaba come on as of late for the Bulls. In six starts an the wing he has averaged over 12 points and 9 rebounds per game and would likely be a solid addition with a minimal price tag.

Along with LaVine and Nwaba, Noah Vonleh is also a free agent following this season. Cameron Payne, Justin Holiday, and Jerian Grant will all be free agents following next season. Holiday is the only player over 25 on that list. All of their futures in Chicago likely hinge on what the Bulls can do in free agency over the next two seasons. As decent role players, all would be good to have, but none are critical pieces.

Even with Robin Lopez and Omer Asik signed through 2018-19, the Bulls are set up extremely favorably for the next several years. Their below-average cap number this season includes $25 million paid to players no longer on the roster and almost all of that comes off the books at the end of this season.

The Bulls have several young assets and an incredible amount of flexibility over the next three seasons. They need to nail this draft but to get back to competing at the level they have the last several years but they will be pursuing that goal with a significant advantage over much of the rest of the league in the free agent market.

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