Bulls Making “Significant Attempt” To Trade Up And Draft Star Center

Adam Finkelstein of 247Sports reported earlier this week on their college basketball show that two teams were making aggressive moves in pursuit of one of the most highly coveted college players turning professional. The Chicago Bulls and Memphis Grizzlies were named as the two clubs looking to move up in the 2024 NBA Draft in efforts to draft a potential franchise star. The main issue for Chicago remains their lack of assets in an attempted deal. Moving from 11th overall to a top-five selection, where their desired draftee is expected to be taken, would cost a lucrative package. Who is Chicago eyeing in the upcoming draft, and what would it cost them to slide into a position to take their newest young star?

UConn’s Donovan Clingan

Clingan has declared for the 2024 NBA Draft after winning back-to-back NCAA National Championships. Being slated anywhere from first overall down to a surefire top-15 pick, the trouble for Chicago is gauging how much of a leap they need to make to draft the 20-year-old 7’2″ game-changing center. He is one of college basketball’s best paint protectors, and his expertise remains in rim protection and close-range scoring. Not much of a threat from beyond the three-point arc, Clingan does shoot nearly 65% over his two college seasons as an efficient inside scoring option. While Nikola Vucevic provides a versatility that few centers in the NBA can match, his rim-protecting abilities are sorely lacking and hinder Chicago’s defensive presence on all three levels.

Finkelstein reports that the Houston Rockets, third overall draft pick, and Charlotte Hornets, sixth overall selection, are the two most likely trade partners. Both franchises lacking veteran leadership, Zach LaVine or DeMar DeRozan may be the best thing the Bulls can float in a potential trade. Alex Caruso’s defensive presence and three-point shooting abilities make him a valuable asset, perhaps more valuable at his salary than the two mentioned above.

Drummond’s Departure Hints At Drafting A Center

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Andre Drummond has likely played his final game in a Chicago Bulls uniform. This further proves that the Bulls will search for his replacement to come off the bench. Even if Clingan is not the name drawn for Chicago on draft night, the center position has become the leading candidate for who the Bulls will walk away with after the 2024 NBA Draft. Clingan’s defensive presence would surpass Drummond and Vucevic, and his offensive game is similar to Drummond’s, primarily inside the paint and active on the offensive glass.

In addition to Clingan, Purdue’s Zach Edey, and Duke’s Kyle Filipowski remain in play for the Bulls at 11 or higher. Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu’s bursting onto the scene last season locked up the perimeter slots. Lonzo Ball’s highly anticipated return to the court this season secures Chicago’s point guard position. Barring something including LaVine or DeRozan that results in new star power at the position, expect the Bulls to be aggressive toward bringing in a center in some capacity.