Fansided

2019 NBA Draft grades for every team: Pelicans get an A+, Rockets get an F

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Zion Williamson poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted with the first overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans during the 2019 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 20, 2019 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: Lance King/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: Lance King/Getty Images /

Chicago Bulls – B+

7th Overall – Coby White, Guard (UNC)

38th Overall – Daniel Gafford, Center (Arkansas)

As teams jumped up and down the draft around them, the Chicago Bulls sat back patiently and were rewarded by seeing the player they thought of as a perfect fit fall right into their lap at seventh overall, Coby White. After one season as a North Carolina Tar Heel, White entered the draft and quickly became touted as one of the best point guard prospects in the draft. His combination of speed with the ball and outside shooting make White a player that is a good piece to have in the modern NBA.

It is no secret in Chicago that current starting point guard, Kris Dunn is not someone that the team is completely sold on at the moment. Dunn has been one of the better young defensive players in the league since being drafted in 2016, however, his offensive skills never caught up to his defense. Opponents ignore Dunn away from the basket and his lack of perimeter shooting clogs up the interior for the likes of Zach LaVine and Wendell Carter Jr. bringing in White serves the Bulls in two big ways. First, it gives them a three-point threat opponents have to respect. Second, he is a much better fit next to LaVine as he can be successful on or off the ball.

With their second-round pick, they took Arkansas’ center, Daniel Gafford. Much like another Bulls pick (Tyson Chandler in 2002) Gafford is a high-level athlete with size. Right now all he will be asked to do is catch lobs and block shots. He doesn’t have much in terms of individual skills but he gives Chicago something they don’t have in either Carter Jr. or Lauri Markkanen.

On top of that Gafford could play with either of Chicago’s other young big man giving this team a young three-man core that not too many other teams possess. If things go to plan those three will be together for a long time—this pick also gives Chicago a chance to gauge what a Markkanen or Carter Jr. trade could fetch on the open market if they want to explore it.

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