# 19 - Chicago Bulls

 

Brian Spurlock - USAToday Sports

What I’d Do:

T. J. Warren

6’8” (6’10” wingspan), 220 lbs, 9/5/1993 (20 years old)

BRING BACK THE FLOATER

T. J. Warren won ACC Player of the Year over Jabari Parker by being one of 8 BCS players under the age of 21 to score over 27 PTS per 40.  This kid is an absolute scorer.  He scored at a rate of 1.27 PTS/possession (good for # 4 in Draft Express’ Top 100) and sported the # 2 PER in that group behind Doug McDermott.  

As I mentioned in the Celtics piece, he’ the type of player that can get 15-20 without having to run a play for him.  He scored 12% of his offense off of cuts in his sophomore season.  He’s an elite offensive rebounder for a SF scoring 11% (!) of his offense on put backs.  He is deadliest in transition, which he’s able to create on his own (2.1 steals per 40) and is a one man fast break in the best sense.  Because of his touch and finishing ability he’ll go one on three before dropping a beautiful 5 foot floater between outstretched defenders.  I love him as a can’t miss bench scorer.

What keeps him from going so much earlier are question marks about his defense ability and his outside shooting.  He’s not a great passer or decision maker, but who wants him passing when he scores at that rate?  Defensively, he has decent size and length, unfortunately his lateral quickness is a major concern (in fairness, he did post a decent number at the combine in the lane agility drill).  It’s assumed he will struggle with the quickness of many 3’s on the perimeter but is too small to realistically play power forward.   Chicago is a great fit in that regard, because you’ll theoretically be able to hide him a bit.  As I said though, he has the length and he has great hands and anticipation.  There is still defensive upside there.

As far as his shooting, who cares?  Are valuing outside shooting too much now?  This guy is going to score period.  From 18 feet in he is an absolute monster.  Also, there’s no reason to think he can’t develop the outside shot.  With some work with an NBA shooting coach, I’d be willing to bet that in three years T. J. Warren is shooting 36%+ from 3.  That’s acceptable, especially with that floater.  One of the things I love about Warren’s game is how unique he is.  There’s almost no comparison.  He’s like a cross between Jamal Crawford and Carl Landry.  He’s just going to score efficiently no matter how many minutes you give him and as we know, Chicago could use the offense.

Mitchell wrote about Chicago’s situation and what he’d do with their 16th pick.  As fast as Elfrid Payton’s rise has been, he may no longer be available at that spot.   If he is though, I absolutely love that pick (especially being proactive about Rose’s future), and I think going more offensive minded with this pick in Warren is a great pairing.  

What I Think They’ll Do:

The Bulls may have the best package to offer Minnesota including this and the # 16 pick with some combination of Mirotic, Butler, and Gibson.  I don’t think they actually get it done, but it’s definitely possible, and even if they don’t there’s no doubt they are out shopping these picks in other ways.  I’d be surprised if the Bulls keep both of these picks on draft night.  Assuming they do, I think they go with a wing player, depending on who is left.  James Young, Rodney Hood, T.J.Warren, any of them are options.

Crazy Draft Day Trade:

Alright I’ve avoided discussing Kevin Love possibilities enough.  

# 16, # 19, Mirotic and Gibson for Kevin Love.  

Pairing Noah and Love in the backcourt would be unbelievable.  This might leave the Bulls a bit thin, but don’t start selling me on how Minnesota would take Carlos Boozer. Come on now.  You can still amnesty Boozer, but with Love’s salary and theoretical extension, the Bulls won’t have enough room left to go get another max player.  There will be some room though.  Maybe a Luol Deng reunion?  Or do you think you could convince Pierce to come join Rose/Butler/Love/Noah?  You could then fill out the rest of the roster with inexpensive shooting like Anthony Morrow, Channing Frye, or Spencer Hawes.

Minnesota fans are just sitting there waiting for their explanation.  At this point, there's no explanation necessary.  Just hope for the best.