THE 2024 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft is rapidly approaching, with each team making their final preparations ahead of adding some young talent to the best competition in the world.

There are some seriously impressive prospects available, with the crop stretching all around the globe as more international players begin to gain recognition. Suddenly, the collegiate system is not the only method to joining the NBA, which has allowed a broader range of players to compete at the top level.

With the NBA wrapping up the 2023/24 season as we speak, the teams already eliminated have spent the past few weeks considering which players they will select to prepare for the future, and the recent Draft Lottery saw the official order determined.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each team and how their draft will potentially pan out on June 26-27. With all 30 sides in their own unique situation, there is plenty to unpack ahead of the next injection of exciting players.

The final team under the microscope for the week are the Chicago Bulls, who missed out on a playoff appearance by a thin margin, but will be aiming to use their sole pick wisely at the upcoming draft.

Chicago Bulls

Draft Selections

10

Contracted Players

Zach LaVine, Lonzo Ball (player option), Nikola Vucevic, Coby White, Alex Caruso, Ayo Dosunmo, Jevon Carter, Dalen Terry (team option), Torrey Craig (player option), Julian Phillips

The Bulls were unfortunately eliminated in the play-in tournament last season, and while the future of their roster is unclear, the addition of a quality young player will be extremely beneficial to the organisation.

Chicago’s one and only selection is at pick 11, and it could find a key piece for the roster moving forward around this mark.

One option that could be beneficial to the Bulls is forward Cody Williams, who has the tools to be selected in the top five, but Chicago could swoop if he falls out of the top 10. At six-foot-nine, Williams has excellent defensive attributes and can guard all five positions if necessary. While his offensive game needs some work, he has shown productivity as a spot-up shooter and would slot into Chicago’s lineup nicely.

If the Bulls decide against Williams and opt for a more proven scorer, then Dalton Knecht could be a viable option. Although he is one of the older prospects in the draft, the Tennessee wing can score across all three levels and has shown the ability to take over matches when he gets his eye in from the field. With several question marks surrounding the future of the team’s leading scorers, Knecht would be worth an investment.