Bulls Fans Should Be Content After the 2019 NBA Draft
In the 2019 NBA Draft, the Bulls made the textbook decision in choosing guard Coby White with the 7th overall pick.
The chips couldn’t have fallen in more favor for the Bulls and while I’m not impressed with the pick, I am content. Everybody in Bulls Nation knows that the Bulls were in the market for a point guard, and they were able to kill two birds with one stone by getting the best player available who also happened to be a nice sized combo guard with a ton of agility to fill that point guard void.
When White was recruited in high school to go to the University of North Carolina many analysts thought he wouldn’t become a starter his freshman year in Roy Williams’ system. White was able to prove the doubters wrong while simultaneously showing his talent and potential. Coby White rose very quickly into one of the top draft prospects as he wasn’t even considered a first round pick at all back in November. He averaged 16.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists a game as a freshman this past year. This pick is more of a means to an end and in no way solves all of the Bulls problems at the point guard position right away, but he could very possibly be the point guard of the future.
White still has some work to do but he will be decent ballplayer once he matures his game. There is hope that he will be the electrifying point guard alongside Zach LaVine to solidify the Bulls’ backcourt, he just has to prove himself. White will be impactful right away on the defensive end as he has a huge upside in this department, plus he will need it playing next to LaVine.
My draft grade for the Bulls’ first-round pick has to be a B+ because the Bulls avoided the trap of trying to move up in the draft and they also didn’t reach. I can’t give the Bulls an A because the pick was pretty much a no-brainer and this is the third straight year that the Bulls drafted at seventh overall and played it safe. The Bulls were able to get a quality guard that can handle and push the ball, which will fit perfectly with the lineup he may be entering.
For the 38th pick, the Bulls made an excellent move by drafting Daniel Gafford, the 6-foot–10 power forward from Arkansas. While it doesn’t sound exciting initially, especially with many fans assuming the Bulls would take Bol Bol, who dropped tremendously far and was still available at 38, Gafford was a projected lottery pick a year ago. To get Gafford at 38 is pure robbery. He averaged 16.9 points 8.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks a game at Arkansas his sophomore season. Originally, I had him projected at 21st overall. Daniel Gafford is a player that will definitely prove he was worthy of a higher pick. He is extremely efficient in the paint and scores with ease and plays like he has trampolines in his calves. His shot blocking abilities are off the charts as well and the Bulls need this type of defensive energy moving forward. The 2019 First Team All-SEC and SEC All-Defensive team winner has a huge chip on his shoulder. The Bulls earned an A+ with this pick especially because the Bulls are historically bad at drafting second rounders.
Overall, the Bulls earned an A in the 2019 NBA draft as they have chosen some very promising prospects and they are definitely taking some steps in the right direction. Bulls fans should not be 100 percent sold yet. However, you can’t be mad at the way the front office drafted this year at all.
