NBA Draft 2019: Winners and losers

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 20: Ja Morant looks on after being selected second overall by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Melanie Fidler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 20: Coby White poses for a portrait after being drafted by the Chicago Bulls at the 2019 NBA Draft on June 20, 2019 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Steve Freeman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Winner No. 3: The Chicago Bulls/Coby White Marriage

In the midst of the total chaos that was the movement in the top ten ahead of the draft, the Chicago Bulls stood pat at pick No. 7. While New Orleans, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Minnesota engaged in a waltz through the picks around the Bulls, Chicago was relatively radio silent and nabbed the guy who made the most sense for them in this spot anyway, North Carolina point guard Coby White.

White wasn’t as flashy as Ja Morant, nor was he as hyped up as Darius Garland during the draft process. But he has a good shot to become the best point guard in this year’s draft class, thanks to a well-rounded skill set that hinges on his lightning quickness, ability to learn on the fly, and defensive utility. He does a little bit of everything well and has upside as he continues to learn the point guard position and improve his court recognition in the halfcourt.

For Chicago, White will likely be the fifth option on offense, but he’ll be important in that role, able to defer and set the table for Otto Porter, Zach LaVine, Wendell Carter Jr., and Lauri Markkanen, depending on who is hot that night. He also offers some pull-up shooting upside, which definitely will help bend the defense away from Chicago’s other core pieces in a way Kris Dunn just couldn’t manage. White may just end up being a Jeff Teague type, but that’s the type of point guard this team needs — a guy who can be your leading scorer when called upon but manages the game well and more importantly, dictates the style of play. This could end up being the best fit outside of the top three in the entire draft class.

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