A report from CHSN analyst K.C. Johnson revealed that the Bulls have locked in on two targets for Wednesday’s draft. Johnson stated that he expects the team will select one of two forwards with the 12th pick. The front office is reportedly enamored with South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles and French prospect Noa Essengue. If those two are off the board, the team’s backup plan is to regroup and target center Derik Queen.
Bulls Eyeing 2 Prospects with 12th Pick
Essengue and Murray-Boyles make sense as draft targets for Chicago. Both players are exceptional defensive prospects who would provide much-needed help on that end of the ball at the forward position. Their play styles fit Billy Donovan’s coaching scheme well and will bolster the Bulls’ defense.
Collin Murray-Boyles
Over two seasons with the Gamecocks, Murray-Boyles averaged 13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Last year’s breakout season put him on the map as a potential lottery pick, where he averaged 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 steals per game. If Murray-Boyles ends up as the guy the Bulls take, his defense will make an immediate impact. Widely considered the top defensive forward in the class, Murray-Boyles is an elite rim protector and versatile defender who excels at switching assignments. His skill set fits well with the current Bulls regime.
Noa Essengue
Heading overseas with the scouting report, Essengue spent two seasons competing professionally in the EuroCup. At just 18 years old, Essengue averaged 12.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game this past season. Essengue’s stellar defense and explosive ability to get to the rim make him an intriguing option with the 12th pick. While his numbers are limited compared to Murray-Boyles, Essengue has arguably more upside. The biggest concern with Essengue is his three-point shooting, as he shot just 29.4% from outside last season. However, with his young age and being surrounded by shooters on the Bulls roster, there is lots of room for Essengue to grow as a shooter. His upside is worth the gamble for the Bulls, as he provides the team with a strong presence on defense that they have desperately lacked.
Derik Queen as a Backup?
With reports indicating that Queen will slide on draft night, the Bulls allegedly have Queen on their radar as a third option. In his lone season for the Terrapins, Queen averaged 16.5 points, nine rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Queen ranks as one of the draft’s top passers and arguably the best passing big man in the class. There are concerns about Queen’s skills translating to the NBA. However, his ability to create passing lanes and use his physicality to attack the rim makes him an intriguing offensive option behind center Nikola Vucevic.
The Last Word
The Bulls should be in good hands if they decide to draft one of their top two prospects. Both guys and the backup option, Queen, complement the current roster well and have skill sets that give them high upside. The Bulls must nail this draft pick, as it will determine the direction of the current rebuild. It is clear that whoever they end up selecting is in a position to make an instant impact.
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