2018 NBA Mock Draft: Knicks go big with Mo Bamba

I hear constantly from Bulls fans and writers that the wing is the focus of the offseason, and I see the logic. Their young studs are at guard (Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine) and forward (Lauri Markkanen), while their wing rotation is made up of mostly veterans and unexciting draft disappointments, making Alkins an appealing option at this point in the first round.

Watching him again in his season debut against Alabama in December and trying to be honest about his offensive versatility, I came away frustrated with his jump shot. His form is fine, both on corner spot-up looks he got frequently off of Allonzo Trier drives and Deandre Ayton post-ups as well as curling off screens, as he did from the top of the key early in the second half to try and match Collin Sexton’s scoring outburst. Alkins will never look as fluid as Kyle Korver in those situations, but he’s smooth. The problem, more than anything for the sophomore, was that it always felt like he could be better.

Ideally, someone shooting 36 percent from distance and playing over 30 minutes per game should be gunning — Trier certainly does for the Wildcats. Yet Alkins’ shot versatility is limited to the point he became a standstill 3-point shooter for most of the season. He is a wild driver who runs to the rim with little premeditated effort, and can’t get his jumper off unless it’s a placid situation on the court around him.

I still think his elite defense and offensive upside is enough to take a chance on him, and he gives the Bulls a unique option on the wing, but there are legitimate questions.