NBA Mock Draft: Who the Bulls Should Pick at 11th originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
Presented by National Insurance Agent Jeff Vukovich
NBA scouts, executives and observers are united in the belief that beauty could be in the eye of the beholder this June.
In a draft light with guaranteed star power but potentially deep with solid contributors, this year’s NBA Draft has a lot of variation. One team’s recruiting framework can vary greatly from another’s; the 11th pick could be interchangeable with, say, the fifth pick.
The Chicago Bulls are ranked 11th after Sunday’s NBA Draft Lottery. Mock drafts have linked them to players as varied as Tennessee sharpshooter Dalton Knecht, USC point guard Isaiah Collier and more.
With the NBA Draft Combine taking place all week at Wintrust Arena, NBC Sports Chicago spoke with several draft prospects linked to the Bulls. Here’s what they had to say:
Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Collier said he has a meeting scheduled with the Bulls this week. Regardless of where he lands, he doesn’t lack confidence.
“I feel like I’m still one of the best players in this draft,” he said. “I mean, the shot didn’t go down as well as I wanted it to in college. But I’ve been working and the shot has been falling and I’m going to keep working. , giving thousands of injections every day.”
Collier said he believes his basketball IQ and strength will translate to the next level. He said he has been a natural leader with the ability to see the court well since his youth basketball playing days.
“It’s a blessing to be here,” Collier said. “I’m enjoying the process.”
Collier listed Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards and LeBron James as players he admires. Collier played with James’ son Bronny at USC before a heart incident cut short Bronny’s season and led to a turbulent season for the Trojans.
“We definitely had to deal with a lot of adversity in the season we had,” Collier said. “I think it was a learning experience for me. I definitely learned a lot for the point guard position.”
And, yes, Collier has known and been friends with Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams since their days at USC.
The big man made Chicago his training base for weeks because his agency is based here. He even threw out the first pitch before a Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field.
“It was really cool,” Filipowski said.
Filipowski said his basketball IQ and shooting range are his biggest attributes that can translate to the next level.
“Working here the last few weeks, I’ve become a lot more confident and comfortable shooting the 3-ball from the NBA line,” he said.
In fact, Filipowski said that former Bull Lauri Markkanen is one of the current NBA players he admires and tries to standardize his game in some way. He also tries to imitate parts of Nikola Jokić’s game.
“I think the coolest thing is that these two players are so different from each other. But I still have pieces of each of their games,” Filipowski said. “That’s why I think I’m so unique and why teams can utilize me in so many different ways.”
Filipowski said he loves Chicago and got some tips from Duke coach Jon Scheyer, who grew up in Northbrook.
“He tells me that if I’m in a bad situation, just say his name and I’ll be taken care of,” Filipowski joked.
It’s not often you hear a draft prospect name a defensive-minded player as one of the NBA players he tries to model his game after in some way. But that mentality is what so intrigued scouts of Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen.
“I want to be an elite defender no matter what. That’s my main focus,” Williams said after citing Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels as a role model. “His length and versatility on defense, he’s catching full court and scoring one through five. This is something I can definitely be elite at.
“People don’t realize the impact (McDaniels) has on the court, just getting in the way of plays. I think it’s interesting that a lot of people don’t pay attention to the defensive end. defender, so I’m going to take advantage of that.”
Williams grew up in a house full of Los Angeles Lakers fans, so he cited Kobe Bryant as his favorite player of all time. And he’s grateful to have the influence and example to follow his brother in the league.
“I definitely feel like I have an advantage,” Williams said. “He gave me a lot of wisdom and knowledge throughout this whole process of how to improve, the ins and outs of what he did to get where he is. better and attacking each rep as if it were a game.”
It’s not a bad week for Cody: he’s interviewing for his future job this week with NBA teams, while watching his older brother compete in the NBA playoffs at night.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” he said.
Dalton Knecht, G.F., Tennessee
Known primarily as a shooter, the 23-year-old said he hopes to use this week to showcase his athleticism and versatility. In fact, his favorite player and one he has admired for a long time is Kevin Durant.
“I want to show that I can score at all three levels, not just in space,” Knecht said. “Playing above the rim will help and create shots for me and my teammates as well.”
Knecht said he is also adept at rebounding and pushing the ball up, something he hopes to show in the scrimmages scheduled for this week.
“My passing is also another strong point,” he said.
Improving your defense and learning the rhythm of the NBA’s fastest game are on your to-do list.
