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NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Chicago Bulls

By Trevor Magnotti

AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders takes a shot as George Conditt IV #4, and Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones block in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - MARCH 9: Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders takes a shot as George Conditt IV #4, and Tyrese Haliburton #22 of the Iowa State Cyclones block in the second half of play at Hilton Coliseum on March 9, 2019 in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 80-73 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Vanderbilt guard Darius Garland (10) looks on with the official during a college basketball game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the USC Trojans on November 11, 2018, at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 11: Vanderbilt guard Darius Garland (10) looks on with the official during a college basketball game between the Vanderbilt Commodores and the USC Trojans on November 11, 2018, at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

4. Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt

The Step Back Big Board Ranking: 10

Garland is one of the point guards who could be available for Chicago, so he should absolutely be on the table for them. He’s an imperfect fit though and might cause some issue in a pairing with Zach LaVine.

Garland’s pull-up shooting would give the Bulls a legitimate primary scoring threat, someone who can bend the defense to a potentially higher degree than LaVine can, as his threat as a dribbler is going to make him very difficult to defend. He also shows good finishing technique despite his small build, and that frame shouldn’t limit him on defense as much as you’d think, because he has decent awareness and speed to be able to cover players on rotations. There’s upside there, especially with Boylen working with him.

The issue is that Garland needs significant development as a playmaker. He’s not the savviest passer and can get tunnel vision at times, especially when creating in isolation. That makes him a treacherous fit next to LaVine, who has the same issue. Hitching your star to two guards who might struggle to find teammates and elevate the overall team offensive performance isn’t great, especially when Markkanen and Porter are best when they can work against a bent defense off primary actions. I’d be worried about that fit for the Bulls, but it’s hard to argue with Garland’s talent level at this spot.

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