Draft Watch 2009 (05/18)

I was really impressed by Sam Young. He has some serious scoring ability and awesome size for a 2 guard. I really liked his demeanor, too; he seemed really poised and unflappable. I was suprised to see that he’s being projected as only a late first rounder, meaning the Bull might have a legit shot at him. If we’re thinking about drafting a 2 guard because of Ben’s possible departure, I think the Bulls should give this guy a serious look.

I’m starting to think we’d be better off trading for established/semi-established young talent. Maybe package a 1st with Tyrus (and a signed-to-be-traded Gordon) for an Amare/Bosh/West. Maybe send our late 1st for a backup SG who can shoot and defend a little.

Mid-to-late 1sts are such a crapshoot in most drafts that it’s no guarantee we get anything out of them by keeping them. And the Bulls aren’t the team to stock up on mediocre, cheap talent. We have just three players who we can expect to be here three years from now – Rose, Noah, Deng – and those three aren’t talented enough to compete on their own. So instead of spending those picks hoping to get a cheap 7th or 8th man, I’d rather either trade them for a known 7th or 8th man or try packaging them for a difference maker.

With Gordon’s contract up and 2010 a year away, this is such a crucial offseason for the future direction of this team. I’d hate to just get two more young kids in when we can be creative to get us to our goal faster.

I am thinking that a wing player that can play D, has a decent outside jumper, but more of a slasher was thinking I like in order
Williams
Ellington
Henderson
Green
Although I am not an authority so a player I havent seen, but with similar skill set to these would be a great compliment and then the big man I am thinking of is like
Johnson
Patterson
Dozier
Gibson
I think the draft would be great to get one out of each group, with the returning group and a solid off-season work, (kneeling a praying for a new coach who has an offensive philosophy) I think the Bulls would be entertaining and winners.

A lot of inside game is predicated on bulk not height. Blair can get position with his bulk. Even though he can’t jump, he knows how to use size to get position for defense and rebounding. I like him as a backup PF, we need at least one big man who has body.

p.s Austin Daye sucks as does Budinger. Budinger looks like a slightly more talented Luke Walton.

They should draft Blair and 16 and Darren Collison at 26. Blair makes sense because he is a big strong body that can get boards (he has the highest rebound rate in all of the NCAA) fight with heavy guys down low (freeing Thomas and Noah to play help D and block shots) and works well as a passer out of the blocks (maybe he can eventually replace Miller if he learns to shoot a bit better). Collison provides insurance if we ever trade Hinrich or Gordon and is exactly the type of player that does much better in the pros then in college because of the difference in rules. Collison is fast, handles the ball well, can shoot the 3, and put pressure on the opposing point guard. He’s not strong at all which hurts him in college but in the pros he will get to the line because of the no-hand check rule.

I like Blair/Collison. We have a tall, cheap defensive minded PG in DeMarcus Nelson who can spell Rose for 10-12 minutes a game. So we may not need to draft a backup PG. We can deal that pick instead. Still recommended getting Blair or Patterson or T.Williams with teh first pick.

We wait to make a deal until the season has started. It just makes more sense when u think about it. I think the buyer gets better value at the trade deadline then at draft time. At least it seems that way. The only blockbuster trades during draft time, I remember working are the Boston trades a couple years ago.

IMO, In order of importance, our needs are an inside presence(as always), a SG/SF, and a back up PG.

Guys I Like for Us:
DeJuan Blair PF
Gerald Henderson SG
Johnny Flynn PG
Terrance Williams SG/SF
Eric Maynor PG
Sam Young SF
BJ Mullens C
Wayne Ellington SG

I don’t think we go PG, because I’m interested to see what DaMarcus Nelson has developed into. He could become a very serviceable back up

So with that said I say we go after Terrance Williams and BJ Mullens.

Williams should be there at the 1st pick, and if he is snatch him up. He instantly can be plugged into our rotation, gives us some added insurance if BG rolls, and makes us a more athletic and better defensive team. I truly believe that he can play 3 positions in the league and be able to defend all 3. I said this in one of the other draft threads, but to me, he’s the best overall swingman in this draft, including Harden. If Blair is still there, I would seriously consider picking him.

The Mullens pick may draw some critcism. Yup, I know he probably won’t last until our 2nd pick, but hear me out. Yea, I know he looks kinda lackadaisical at times, but hear me out. First, I think by draft time we will have 3 to 4 guys targeted and like we did with Thabo, will strike a deal with someone to make sure we get the guy we want with that 2nd pick. Secondly, Mullens is 19/20 y.o., has an NBA body already, has good hands and is a great athlete. I believe that he didn’t really show up at OSU, becuz he never really wanted to be there. He had his eyes set on the NBA and just went thru the motions for a year. Bring him into a locker room with guys like D. Rose and Noah, guys who LIKE to work on their games and he should be ok. If we go for Blair with the 1st pick, then put Ellington or Young here.

2009-2010 Rotation:
PG: D. Rose Hinrich D. Nelson
SG: Salmons Gordon Williams
SF: Deng Salmons Williams
PF: Ty Thomas Noah Tim Thomas
C: Noah Miller Mullens

That leaves us with plenty of ammo to make a couple of trades once the season starts to come around and cover our ass if BG rolls. Man, look at the possibilities.. I really would enjoy watching that team as is, w/o any trades.

This draft is pretty crappy and big en projects at the 26th and 16th pick are a horrible idea. No Sene’s or cedric simmons (is he still on the bulls?), or patrick o bryants. I like Henderson and Blair if one of them falls to #16. Henderson would especially help out righ away if hinrich is gone. Jrue Holiday should be getting more attention. think he has the potential to be a defensive stopper at both guard positions if he gains a little bit of weight and he, unlike hinrich, is quick enough to at least have the potential to not allow rondo, paul and d harris blow right by them. He probably wont be able to handle the point position at first but he seems useful as a piece moving forward.

Of course in an ideal world we would trade both draft picks, hinrich, and TT for marcus banks and Bosh or something like that. Yes, i just said marcus banks…he is not very good but all we need is a backup point guard for 10-12 minutes a game. All he would need to do is play some defense and not tun the ball over while passing it to miller or salmons or BG.

PS sign Marcin Gortat, if we dont get blair!!!!!!

Banks is awful, he is great at not playing defense and turning the ball over. We have a backup PG in DeMarcus Nelson who is known for playing D. That’s good enough for me.

Why would Toronto want Hinrich as a 9 million dollar backup PG?