NBA Draft 2012: Bulls PG Marquis Teague Talks Draft Selection

New Chicago Bulls point guard Marquis Teague met the media today, and he talked about his selection by the Bulls, what he feels he can bring to the table in his rookie season and what he will look to improve on as he assimilates into the NBA. As for being drafted by the Bulls, both Teague and Chicago GM Gar Forman expressed surprise that Teague was still available when Chicago picked at No. 9 overall.

NBA Draft 2012: Jeff Teague Praises Brother Marcus

NBA rookies may seek advice from teammates and friends when coming into the league, but new Chicago Bulls point guard Marquis Teague can lean on someone even closer: his brother, Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague. Jeff will get to impress advice on his younger brother, but Marquis has already impressed his brother.

Jeff spoke with the Chicago Tribune after the Bulls snagged Marquis, and he effusive in his praise of his younger brother, who many scouts believe will one day be the better player.

"He's a pass-first point guard. Going to Kentucky helped him a lot. He's just a really explosive player. He can shoot it, drive it. He's a really hard worker. I was surprised that he became a great defender because he really never played defense in high school. The way he defended at Kentucky really impressed me."

(via The Chicago Tribune)

The Teagues will likely face each other four times next season, and with Marquis expected to be in the Bulls' rotation, the two will be able to continue their sibling rivalry on the court.

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NBA Draft 2012 Grades: Bulls Earn 'A-' From ESPN's Chad Ford

The latest 2012 NBA Draft Grades from ESPN's Chad Ford have a most positive take on the Chicago Bulls' selection at No. 29.

According to Ford, the Bulls earned an "A-" for grabbing PG Marquis Teague late in the first round:

Analysis: The Bulls got the 19th-ranked player on our Big Board with the No. 29 pick. So, not only did they get the best player available here, but they filled a need. With Derrick Rose out for the start of the season, Teague might find some minutes right away.

Teague is still learning his craft as a point guard, but he is super quick, gets to the rim and was an emerging shooter at Kentucky ... Virtually every scout I spoke with thinks he has much more potential than his brother, Jeff. Given that Jeff is the starting point guard in Atlanta, I think the Bulls made out very well.

Elsewhere, the Bulls received a "C" from NBC Sports, a "C" from SB Nation's Andrew Sharp and a "B" from CBS.

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2012 NBA Draft: How Marquis Teague Fits Into The Chicago Bulls' Uncertain Future

The Chicago Bulls were overjoyed to find Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague still available with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell likes the selection, too.

NBA Draft 2012 Grades: Bulls Get 'C' For Marquis Teague From NBC Sports

The Chicago Bulls grabbed a young point guard with a premium pedigree and a national championship under his belt when they selected Marquis Teague with the No. 29 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, but do the experts think they got a good deal? Kurt Helin of the NBC Sports Pro Basketball Talk blog put together his NBA Draft Grades for all 30 teams, and he thought the Bulls did okay:

Chicago Bulls: C
They get a nice backup point guard in Marquis Teague out of Kentucky. Not thrilling, but nice. They played an iron shot off the tee into the middle of the fairway.

As for other grades from around the web, Andrew Sharp of SB Nation also gave the Bulls a "C" and Matt Moore of CBS Sports put a "B" grade on the Bulls' draft.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft Grades 2012: Bulls Get 'B' From CBS Sports' Matt Moore

The Chicago Bulls selected freshman point guard Marquis Teague from the University of Kentucky with the No. 29 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and the reactions are starting to roll in now. Matt Moore, senior blogger at CBS Sports and @HPBasketball in the world of Twitter, has dished out 2012 NBA Draft Grades for all 30 teams, and he believes the Bulls deserve a "B" grade for their pick:

Marquis Teague (29): The Bulls get another Calipari point guard. They could use a shooter, but weren't going to get one this late at a position they need, and Teague gives them pure speed on the bench. His kind of athleticism is hard to find, and the Bulls get him late.

Overall grade: B

Meanwhile, Andrew Sharp of SB Nation gave the Bulls a "C." If you are looking for even more analysis of the picks, be sure to check out the video from SB Nation Studios embedded at the bottom of the story.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft 2012 Grades, Bulls Get 'C' For Marquis Teague Pick From SB Nation

The Chicago Bulls got surprised on the night of the 2012 NBA Draft when Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague slipped to them in the first round, so they happily selected the talented freshman with the No. 29 overall pick. Teague may be more famous for being the brother of Atlanta Hawks point guard Jeff Teague, but it's important to remember he was also the starting point guard for the national champion Kentucky Wildcats in his first collegiate season as well.

Andrew Sharp of SB Nation has dished out some 2012 NBA Draft Grades, and he thinks the Bulls deserve a "C" for the selection of Teague:

When I first saw this pick I thought it was great. Upon review... Not actually sure what the Bulls were thinking here. Derrick Rose will miss part of next season, but Teague won't be ready to play big minutes that early, and by the time he develops a few years down the line, Rose will be smack in the middle of his prime. In that case... Why not roll the dice with a wing like Quincy Miller? Or Jeffery Taylor? Jae Crowder? Teague could be really good, which is why I liked the pick initially, but it's just hard to see how he fits into Chicago's immediate or distant future. GRADE: C

Although Sharp doesn't see how Teague fits into the Bulls' future, if the organization declines to pick up C.J. Watson's option that would certainly free up some minutes for the young prospect.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Reactions: Chad Ford Likes Bulls' Selection Of Marquis Teague

The general sentiment regarding the Chicago Bulls' selection of Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague with the 29th overall pick in Thursday night's NBA draft appears to be quite positive, which is good news for an organization that hasn't exactly had the best few months.

One of the analysts that likes what the Bulls did on Thursday is ESPN's resident NBA draft guru, Chad Ford:

I love this pick for the Bulls. If Teague had stayed in school one more year, he might have been a top-10 pick. He is super quick, can get to the basket and is emerging as a floor leader. With Derrick Rose out due to injury, this is a nice choice.

Teague still needs to develop as a shooter and continue his improvement with running an offense, but he's the kind of talent that's difficult to pass up when you're selecting with the No. 29 pick.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Bulls GM Gar Forman Talks Marquis Teague After Draft

The Chicago Bulls nabbed Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague with the 29th overall pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft, and from all indications they're quite happy with the selection. Bulls GM Gar Forman recently spoke with Adam Fluck of Bulls.com about Teague, who could eventually carve out a role next season:

We were very excited Marquis Teague was still on the board. Obviously, we feel we got a real value in this pick... He gives us another guy that can break defenses down, get into the paint, and make plays for himself and others... He’s got great speed and quickness, and we think, a very, very high ceiling.

That high ceiling is definitely part of the reason that analysts are praising the Bulls for getting such solid value with the 29th pick. Most, if not all, mock drafts leading up to Thursday had Teague going before the Bulls' selection, but they were happy to capitalize on the point guard's tumble.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Bulls Didn't Think Marquis Teague Would Fall to Them

The Chicago Bulls were tied to a lot of names over the course of the past few months, but never the one that was ultimately announced on Thursday.

Leading up to the draft, most analysts assumed that the major knee injury to Derrick Rose, as well as potential impending departures for scorers like C.J. Watson and Kyle Korver, would lead the Bulls to select a wing player that could handle the ball and shoot well.

That very well may have been the Bulls' plan, but that was simply because they didn't think that Marquis Teague would actually be there at No. 29:

Bulls couldn't believe Teague was there.

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 29, 2012

The Bulls drafted Teague without working him out personally at the Berto Center, evidence they were surprised he was available.

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 29, 2012

Before the draft, the Bulls were tied to many other players, including John Jenkins, Evan Fournier, Jeffrey Taylor, Will Barton, Doron Lamb, Orlando Johnson and Quincy Miller. But all of those mock drafts generally assumed that Teague would be gone by then, a false assumption that the Bulls' front office apparently made as well.

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2012 NBA Draft: Chicago Bulls Select Kentucky PG Marquis Teague With No. 29 Overall Pick

The Chicago Bulls have selected Kentucky point guard Marquis Teague with the 29th overall pick in the first round of Thursday night's NBA Draft. It's the team's one and only selection of the night, as their second round pick for this year's draft was traded previously.

Coming into the draft, the Bulls were expected to target a scoring type guard that could handle the ball well in the aftermath of Derrick Rose's major knee injury. By drafting Teague, the Bulls land one of the most athletic point guards in the draft, one that finishes well at the rim but struggles with shooting.

Last season with the Wildcats as a freshman, Teague averaged 10.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG and 4.8 APG while shooting 41 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point range. He was the starting point guard for the national champion, a player that generally went higher than No. 29 in most mock drafts this year.

Clearly, the Bulls wanted to add a point guard to address that position given the uncertainty regarding Rose. In Teague, they get a young prospect that could potentially be one of the better value selections in the entire draft.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Bulls Take Evan Fournier In Latest Ziller Draft

Tom Ziller, SB Nation's chief NBA analyst, has released his latest and final mock draft. According to Ziller, the Chicago Bulls will look to France for their next young prospect, selecting SG Evan Fournier in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft:

29. CHICAGO BULLS: EVAN FOURNIER

Fournier is a 19-year-old shooting guard who has played professionally in Europe since 2009. Sam Amick's mock draft also had Fournier landing in the Windy City, as did earlier mock drafts from Sports Illustrated.

According to Draft Express, Fournier averaged 14.0 points and 1.5 steals per game in his final season in Europe. Chad Ford's analysis on ESPN says Fournier has good penetration and mid-range skills, but still needs to add strength and improve his long-range work. But for a Bulls team hurting for shooting guard production, those might be acceptable shortcomings.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft 2012: Chicago Bulls Will Select Kansas PG Tyshawn Taylor, According To Report

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Sam Smith Predicts Bulls Will Take SF Jeffery Taylor

Sam Smith of Bulls.com, in anticipation of Thursday night's 2012 NBA Draft, has released his mock draft estimates. According to Smith, the Chicago Bulls will look to add some frontcourt dept with the addition of SF Jeffery Taylor:

29. Bulls: Jeffery Taylor, Vanderbilt, small forward, 6-7 ¼, 213. He'd be the Bulls’ kind of player if he gets here, and he shouldn’t go higher than the late 20’s, anyway. He’s been likened to Wilson Chandler, which would be nice. He’s a senior and native of Sweden who is a much improved shooter, though his specialty is defense and he is relentless. Not a great wingspan, but amazingly low body fat for a mature player. Runs the floor well and fundamentally sound and probably could fill in right away some if Luol Deng is a late starter...

The Bulls currently have an All-Star small forward in Deng, but injury and contract concerns may motivate the club to bolster the position. The 2012 NBA Draft begins Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

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NBA Mock Draft 2012: Sam Amick Mock 5.0 Has Evan Fournier To Bulls At No. 29

The Chicago Bulls hold the No. 29 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, but there will still be some talented players on the board when they are scheduled to select. After a largely unsuccessful gamble on Richard Hamilton last season, Chicago could certainly use some help at shooting guard, so it's no surprise they have been linked to Memphis SG Will Barton in multiple mock drafts over the last few days. What if Barton is off the board though?

In Sam Amick's Mock Draft 5.0 on SI.com Barton goes No. 23 to the Atlanta Hawks, and the Bulls select Evan Fournier, a shooting guard from France:

With point guard and 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose sidelined after tearing his ACL in the playoffs, and with shooting guard Richard Hamilton showing his age (34) during an injury-filled season, the Bulls could use another scorer in their backcourt. There's no way of telling just yet whether Fournier can be the penetrating, playmaking perimeter threat in the NBA that he has been while playing in France, but he's worth gambling on here.

Be sure to watch the NBA Draft on Thursday, June 28 starting at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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2012 NBA Mock Draft: Chad Ford's 10.0 Mock Puts Will Barton On Bulls, Downplays A Trade

Chad Ford's Mock Draft 10.0 is up at ESPN and the Chicago Bulls select Memphis guard Will Barton at No. 29 overall. Ford sets up the Bulls' Big Board (for available players in his mock) with Barton on top, Doron Lamb next up, Tyshawn Taylor as a third option and John Jenkins listed fourth. Vanderbilt SF Jeff Taylor jumped off the board at No. 27 to the Miami Heat, while the Oklahoma City Thunder selected SG Evan Fournier one pick before the Bulls jumped on the clock. As for trade scenarios, Ford notes that the Bulls have been trying to move up, but "have had no luck so far."

The NBA Draft takes place on Thursday, June 28 starting at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN.

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NBA Draft 2012: Time, TV Schedule, Results, Grades And More

It's finally here. The 2012 NBA Draft gets underway tonight at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Coverage begins on ESPN at 6 p.m. local time.

Chicago native Anthony Davis is set to join Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose as the second No. 1 overall selection from our fair city in the last five years. After Davis goes to the New Orleans Hornets, it's anyone's guess how the rest of the draft will break down. Florida guard Bradley Beal, Kentucky wing Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, North Carolina small forward Harrison Barnes and Kansas power forward Thomas Robinson round out the presumed top five selections.

The Bulls hold only one pick, the No. 29 overall selection. Chicago is said to be after a guard with shooting ability. A pair of Vanderbilt players, John Jenkins and Jeff Taylor, are considered to be in the mix. Memphis wing Will Barton and Baylor forward Quincy Miller might also hear their name called by Chicago.

Location: Prudential Center, Newark, New Jersey

Date: June 28, 2012

Start time: 6:00 p.m.

TV: ESPN

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2012 NBA Draft: Chicago Bulls Rumors, Salary Cap Breakdown And Options At Pick No. 29

The Chicago Bulls hold the No. 29 selection in tonight's 2012 NBA Draft. SB Nation Chicago's Ricky O'Donnell breaks down the team's current salary cap issues and takes a look at a few players the Bulls might pick in the first round.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Chicago Bulls Projected To Select Baylor's Quincy Miller By NBADraft.Net

By now, you probably know the list of names tied to the Chicago Bulls with the No. 29 overall pick in tonight's 2012 NBA Draft. The list looks something like this: Memphis' Will Barton, Vanderbilt's Jeff Taylor and John Jenkins, Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor, and Kentucky guards Doron Lamb and Darius Miller.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft: NBA.com Sees Doron Lamb For Bulls At No. 29

Well, a new mock by seminal draft site NBADraft.net has the Bulls taking none of those players. Instead, Chicago is pegged to select Baylor Bears small forward Quincy Miller.

Miller is just 19 years old and entered the draft after one season at Baylor. He's 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan. He's noted for having high basketball IQ, great size and for being a solid rebounder.

Miller, who was raised in North Chicago, averaged 10.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in his lone season as a member of the Bears.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: NBA.com Sees Doron Lamb For Bulls At No. 29

The Chicago Bulls select Kentucky shooting guard Doron Lamb with the No. 29 overall pick in the lone mock draft from David Aldridge of NBA.com. With just one day before the draft, Aldridge released his one and only mock of the year, tying Chicago to one of many sharpshooters:

Lamb is as good a shooter as there is in the Draft, and his performance in the NCAA championship game showed he can play on the big stage. The Bulls have to have as many shot-makers and/or scorers on the court as possible next season while they wait for Derrick Rose's return.

The Bulls should have numerous options for shooting, and Lamb would certainly qualify. As a sophomore at Kentucky last year, Lamb averaged 13.7 PPG while shooting 47 percent from three-point range, making nearly two triples per game.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: SI.com Sees Evan Fournier For Chicago One Day Before Draft

It's hard to see where the Chicago Bulls will go with their first round pick even though we're just one day away from the draft, but it's become obvious that a wing player is the most likely selection. In the latest mock draft from SI.com's Sam Amick, the Bulls land French shooting guard Evan Fournier with the No. 29 overall pick.

Amick has been on the Fournier-to-Chicago train for a while now, but other writers and analysts have seen the team going in other directions given the lack of an obvious pick for the club.

It's highly likely that the Bulls nab scoring-type wing, but options that they could see include Fournier, Memphis' Will Barton, Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor, Kentucky's Doron Lamb and Vanderbilt's Jeff Taylor.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Will Barton To Chicago In Chad Ford's Latest

With the 2012 NBA Draft quickly approaching, the Chicago Bulls have likely narrowed in on a handful of prospects that they hope will be available by the time their first pick comes at No. 29 overall. One of those players, according to ESPN's Chad Ford, may be Memphis Tigers guard Will Barton, who gets sent to the Bulls in Ford's most recent mock draft.

Barton has good height for a shooting guard at 6-foot-6, but he likely still needs to fill his body out before he can become a serious NBA contributor. But Barton is athletic and can shoot, and is considered to have a good amount of upside. Indeed, Ford suspects that Barton may be off the board by the time Chicago picks.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Chicago Bulls Take PG Tyshawn Taylor In Latest Projection By Jeff Goodman

The point guard situation for the Chicago Bulls is majorly unresolved heading into next season. Superstar Derrick Rose will miss at least the first half of the season rehabbing a torn ACL. Backups C.J. Watson and John Lucas III are also free agents, with the team holding a $3.2 million option on the former.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft Meta-Analysis: Pre-NBA Draft Combine Version

Because of all the uncertainly surrounding the position, Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports thinks the Bulls will address the point guard situation with their only pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, No. 29 overall. Goodman thinks Chicago is taking Tyshawn Taylor of the Kansas Jayhawks.

Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas: The Bulls could use a backup for Derrick Rose. Taylor is fast, tough and has four years of college experience at Kansas.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Will Barton Scheduled For Workout With Bulls On Wednesday, According To Report

According to a report from CSN-Chicago's Aggrey Sam, the Chicago Bulls have scheduled a workout for shooting guard Will Barton on Wednesday. Several mock drafts have speculated that Barton might land with the Bulls at No. 29 in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Memphis shooting guard Will Barton scheduled for solo workout with the Bulls (29th pick) at Berto tomorrow AM, according to source.

— Aggrey Sam (@CSNBullsInsider) June 26, 2012

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls Get Will Barton In Latest Draft Express Mock

Barton averaged 18 points and eight rebounds per game for the Memphis Tigers during the 2011-12 college basketball season.

Draft Express considers Barton the No. 39 overall prospect in the 2012 draft, though they also project the Bulls will select him with their first round pick.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls Get Will Barton In Latest Draft Express Mock

After Tuesday morning's trade between the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves, in which the T'Wolves traded the No. 18 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft to the Houston Rockets in exchange for swingman Chase Budinger and the rights to Lior Eliyahu, Draft Express updated their 2012 NBA Mock Draft and projected Will Barton to the Chicago Bulls at pick No. 29. In a way, the sun and moon of the NBA Mock Draft world have aligned, because Chad Ford of ESPN also has Barton landing with the Bulls at No. 29 in his Mock Draft 9.2.

Barton scored 18.0 point per game in 2011 on 50.9 percent shooting for the Memphis Tigers, but he is only ranked as the No. 39 prospect in the 2012 draft class on the Draft Express Top-100. The most vexing thing is that Vanderbilt SF Jeff Taylor is projected to come off the board one pick earlier than when the Bulls are on the clock, and Taylor is ranked as the No. 15 overall prospect by DX.

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NBA 2K13 Cover: Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin Grace Video Game

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Chad Ford's Mock 9.0 Says Bulls Will Grab SG Will Barton

The latest NBA mock draft from ESPN's Chad Ford suggests the Chicago Bulls will grab the 6-foot-6 guard from Memphis, SG Will Barton. According to Ford, the Bulls may be in store for a great value -- if Barton gets by the Timberwolves:

29. Bulls -- SG Will Barton

Analysis: The Bulls are looking at a number of 2-guard options here, but over the past few weeks, Barton has separated himself from the pack. He could go as high as 18 to the Wolves and I don't think he slides past Chicago here.

Barton played two seasons with the Memphis Tigers, and the Baltimore native made an impressive mark in his sophomore campaign, landing over 50 percent of his field goal attempts while averaging 18 points per game. Here is a look at his 2011 numbers:

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Orlando Johnson To Bulls In SB Nation Team Bloggers Mock Draft

Team bloggers around the SB Nation network got together this weekend to stage a 2012 NBA mock draft, which meant that Alex Sonty of SB Nation's Chicago Bulls blog Blog a Bull got to imagine himself in the Bulls' front office. With Chicago's pick, Sonty gave the team UC Santa Barbara guard Orlando Johnson, who has been quietly moving up in mock drafts in recent days.

Here is Sonty on the pick:

The only bigs and point guards who can't be passed up are gone. It's easier to pass up on Jeff Taylor and John Jenkins than Will Barton. But if Johnson were Barton's age, he'd be just as high -- if not higher -- on boards around the web and in war rooms. Johnson actually has the NBA shot and body that Barton doesn't. He played against bums, but so does Memphis; and Johnson's elite shot puts him in the category of high-scoring Mid-major products who can always add length and threes to any NBA rotation on both ends. His work ethic and basketball IQ make that NBA size and shot coachable enough to not care about his age. He's endured struggles no young man should with great maturity and drive; his production and lifestyle is proof of that.

For or more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Trade Rumors: Bulls' Trade Offer To Golden State Includes Luol Deng, According To Report

According to a report from The Telegraph, Luol Deng was part of a trade package offered to the Golden State Warriors in return for the No. 7 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, Andris Biedrins and Dorell Wright.

Following his decision to play for Great Britain despite a wrist tendon injury, the Bulls General Manager Gar Forman, who called Deng in from holiday for a meeting earlier this month, is understood to have offered the Warriors Deng and the 29th pick in the NBA draft on Thursday for centre Andris Bierdrins, small forward Dorrell Wright [sic] and the seventh pick in the draft.

Related: NBA Trade Rumors 2012: Luol Deng Says Trade Wouldn't Surprise Him

Deng averaged 14 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the 2011-12 season.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Draft Express Gives Chicago Bulls SF Jeff Taylor

Trade rumors continue to swirl around the Chicago Bulls heading into Thursday's 2012 NBA Draft. The latest word is that Chicago is interested in parting with either center Joakim Noah or small forward Luol Deng in order to shed payroll and get into the lottery. If the Bulls do stick at pick No. 29, though, Draft Express sees them taking Vanderbilt small forward Jeff Taylor.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft: CBS Projection Has Draymond Green Going To The Bulls

Taylor averaged 16.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season as a senior for the Commodores. He was a 42 percent three-point shooter and made 1.8 three-balls per game. Here's what DX had to say:

Jeff Taylor: SF, 23, 6-7, 213, Vanderbilt, Senior

The Bulls have been in a perpetual hunt for a floor-spacing 3-point-shooting wing, and Jeff Taylor could well fit the bill here. With Derrick Rose likely out for the season, another ball-handler could certainly be in order, but it might be tough to find one here that can also play the type of defense Tom Thibodeau expects. Taylor is big enough to guard multiple positions, can space the floor as a 40-plus percent outside shooter and he has the athleticism to make plays and get out in the open floor.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Trade Rumors: Bulls Reportedly Exploring Ways To Move Deng, Noah

The rumors surrounding the Chicago Bulls and two of its star players just won't quit. On Sunday, Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News reported that the Bulls would like to retain both Taj Gibson and Omer Asik, and are exploring ways to move either Joakim Noah or Luol Deng in order to make that happen.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls Select Doron Lamb In Latest Walterfootball Mock

Derrick Rose's ACL injury is impacting a lot of analysis on who the Chicago Bulls will be taking in the 2012 NBA Draft. With the star possibly missing a large chunk of next season, there's room for more guards on the team and there will be plenty of options available to the Bulls in that regard.

Walterfootball.com is a site that is usually regarded for their great NFL mock drafts, but they do NBA mocks as well and their latest has Kentucky SG Doron Lamb being taken by the Bulls with their 29th overall selection to fill some of the vacancy in the point producing column:

With Derrick Rose possibly having to miss the entire 2012-2013 season due to his torn ACL, the Bulls suddenly have a need for depth at point guard and could consider Tyshawn Taylor. They could also use some scoring help at the two which gives the nod to Doron Lamb.

Depending on who falls to the Bulls at the positions they covet, this pick could go one of all sorts of ways. It'll be a mystery right up until Thursday when the card is finally turned in. As more news comes in on how long Rose is expected to be out for the Bulls, their priorities may change even further.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Trade Rumors: Luol Deng And Golden State Warriors Could Be A Match

2012 NBA Mock Draft: CBS Projection Has Draymond Green Going To The Bulls

CBS Sports' Matt Moore has posted his latest NBA mock draft and has the Chicago Bulls selecting forward Draymond Green out of Michigan State with the No. 29 overall pick. That runs contrary to many projections at this point, as conventional wisdom seems to be that the Bulls will go with a guard.

Draymond Green, SF/PF, Michigan State: Effort, intangibles, and strength. An all-around type player to throw into Thibs' system. Coachability is big here.

Related: The Heat are NBA Champions, does that change anything for the Bulls?

Green averaged 16.2 points and 10.6 rebounds per game in 2011-12. Green was a versatile scoring threat for the Spartans, efficient inside and out. He shot 38.8% from three-point range and became one of the nation's best rebounders at the defensive end.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Tyshawn Taylor Could Be A Possibility For Bulls

While many NBA mock drafts have the Chicago Bulls taking a shooting guard with their first round pick, CBS Sports' Jeff Goodman projects that the team will select point guard Tyshawn Taylor.

Tyshawn Taylor, PG, Kansas: Can be the ideal backup to Derrick Rose. Brings speed, toughness and a point guard with experience to the table.

Related: The Heat are NBA Champions, does that change anything for the Bulls?

Taylor could help the Bulls in the absence of Derrick Rose, who is going to miss a significant chunk of the 2012-13 season, if not the entire season.

Taylor averaged 16.6 points and 4.8 assists per game for the Kansas Jayhawks in 2011-12. He also shot a good percentage from three-point range throughout his college career.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: SI.com Sticks With Evan Fournier To Chicago

The latest mock draft from Sam Amick of Sports Illustrated once again has the Chicago Bulls selecting French guard Evan Fournier with the 29th overall pick. Amick didn't add any new comments to his blurb on Fournier-to-Chicago in his newest version, but the appeal of the French wing is obvious.

The Bulls need scoring, plain and simple. It was an obvious need even before star guard Derrick Rose went down with a torn ACL, only compounding a issue that already needed to be addressed.

That's made it almost a lock that the Bulls use the pick on a scoring-type player assuming they keep the pick, although finding an impact player late in the first round is hard.

Fournier has good potential, though, standing at 6-foot-7 with good athleticism and smooth movement, but it remains to be seen how his game will translate on American courts.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Jeffery Taylor To Bulls In Latest Ziller Mock

In recent years, speculation surrounding the Chicago Bulls during the NBA Draft has mostly focused on the team upgrading its shooting, specifically at the two-guard position. In the 2011 NBA Draft the Bulls drafted forward Jimmy Butler and in the same offseason signed free agent shooting guard Richard Hamilton, but once again the team is expected by many to look for help in the backcourt or along the wing.

In his most recent 2012 NBA mock draft, SBNation's Tom Ziller sees the Bulls picking small forward Jeffery Taylor, who averaged 16.1 points per game for the Vanderbilt Commodores last season. Taylor would be more in the mold of Butler than, say, Kyle Korver, but he did shoot 42% from three last season as a senior, up from 34% as a junior.

If there is a major knock on Taylor it's probably his age— at 23-years-old, he's one of the oldest players in the draft.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Chad Ford's Mock 8.0 Sends John Jenkins To Bulls At No. 29

The Chicago Bulls have been linked to Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins in plenty of projections around the internet, and ESPN's Chad Ford has not changed his mind since his last mock draft. He projected Jenkins to the Bulls in version 7.0, and the pick (in addition to the analysis) remained exactly the same in his NBA Mock Draft 8.0 at ESPN. In this iteration, Chicago leaves Tyshawn Taylor and Will Barton on the board.

As an interesting note, John Hollinger's Draft Rater doesn't particularly like Jenkins, projecting him to produce just a 7.76 PER and listing him under the "potential perimeter busts" category. Alternatively, Tyshawn Taylor earns a 10.19 PER projection and Will Barton leads the trio with a 10.90 mark.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Gar Forman Says Bulls Fine With Picking At No. 29

While some trade speculation has been swirling around the Chicago Bulls, GM Gar Forman says that the organization is content with picking at No. 29 overall.

"We have spent a great deal of time not only the last month but the last couple of years preparing for this draft," Forman told the team's website. "We're at 29, and we feel good about where we are. We feel it's a pretty deep draft, and we will be able to find a player that fits us and will be able to help us in the future."

Related: Mike McGraw: Bulls trading Deng 'under consideration'

Forman adds that they won't be looking to address a specific need but will instead select the player they deem the best available.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Another Publication Ties John Jenkins To Chicago

The Chicago Bulls are once again tied to Vanderbilt guard John Jenkins with the 29th overall selection in the latest mock draft from NBADraft.net, which was posted over the weekend. This is far from the first time that Jenkins has been suggested as a strong fit for the Bulls, as he's been a frequent focus of the team in many mocks.

Jenkins, a 6-foot-4 guard, has mainly been tied to Chicago because of his superb shooting skills. The Bulls are desperately in need of some additional offensive production, particularly on the perimeter now that Derrick Rose is likely to miss significant time next season.

Over three seasons at Vanderbilt, Jenkins developed a reputation as one of the best shooters in the nation, leading the nation in three-point shots made in 2011-2012, his junior year. During that season, Jenkins shot 47 percent from the field and 43 percent from long range en route to averaging 19.9 points per game.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Bulls Draft Rumors: Could Chicago And Houston Be Trade Partners?

The Chicago Bulls enter the 2012 offseason in flux, with Derrick Rose out indefinitely, Luol Deng likely delaying wrist surgery to play in the 2012 Summer Olympics and key contributors C.J. Watson and Omer Asik entering the open market. There has been speculation that the Bulls might try and move a player for a higher draft pick, and today NBA.com's Sam Smith speculates that the Rockets may be a possible trade partner for the Bulls.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: DraftExpress Has Bulls Taking Tyshawn Taylor

The Chicago Bulls are projected to select Kansas guard Tyshawn Taylor with the 29th overall pick in the latest mock draft from Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com. As we get closer to the draft, it's appears that it's becoming increasingly obvious that Derrick Rose's future absence will significantly play into the team's decision making.

With Derrick Rose likely out for a big part of the regular season and C.J. Watson not expected to be retained, the Bulls will have a shortage of ball-handlers. A battle-tested senior like Taylor could provide some temporary relief. He has the size, athleticism and talent to develop into an excellent backup once Rose returns.

In his senior season with Kansas, Taylor averaged 16.6 PPG, 4.8 APG and 1.3 SPG after spending three years as a role player for Bill Self. He helped lead the Jayhawks all the way to the national championship game, where they lost to Kentucky.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Rumors: Trade For 2012 NBA Draft Lottery Pick A Team Goal?

The Chicago Bulls hold the No. 29 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, but even the most devout draft fanatics don't think an impact shooting guard will slide that far down the draft board in what is considered a deep draft class. However, the Bulls may be thinking about moving up on draft day, and they are supposedly interested in Jeremy Lamb, Dion Waiters and Austin Rivers. All three of those players have been consistently linked to the late-lottery, so a trade would likely be necessary to land anyone in that trio.

This is where Sam Amico of Fox Sports Ohio comes in to play. He speculates that the Bulls may want to trade up in the draft and that they are eyeing Lamb, Waiters and Rivers:

...the Bulls own the No. 29 pick in the draft. Their goal, some will tell you, is to move up, perhaps even into the lottery.

In order for that to happen the Bulls will have to offer a player (or players), and probably include their first-rounder. They're said to have their eyes on guards such as Connecticut's Jeremy Lamb, Syracuse's Dion Waiters or Duke's Austin Rivers.

Note that he uses the phrase "some will tell you" to float the idea of a trade, so this may be even one step below the typical "according to a source" type of draft rumor, but he does add in those specific prospects as well. In essence, if you are a Bulls fan desperately hoping Gar Forman makes a move to land a top prospect in the 2012 NBA Draft at least you have some straws to grasp at now.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Summer League Schedule: Bulls Draw Celtics, Rockets, Warriors, Clippers And Bucks

The NBA has released the 2012 NBA Summer League schedule for the 60-game bonanza in Las Vegas during July, and the Chicago Bulls have head-to-head matchups against the Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks. The Bulls hold the No. 29 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and they are looking for a contributor to help out while Derrick Rose and Luol Deng take time to heal, so the Summer League will be a great opportunity for get a look at their rookie class.

NBA TV will televise all 60 games, and specific broadcast information will be released at a later date. Here is the complete schedule, via NBA.com (all times CT):

Friday July 13
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - Atlanta vs. Washington
5 p.m. - Houston vs. Toronto
7 p.m. - Golden State vs. LA Lakers
9 p.m. - Sacramento vs. Charlotte

Saturday July 14
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - Memphis vs. New York
5 p.m. - Golden State vs. Denver
7 p.m. - LA Lakers vs. Sacramento
9 p.m. - Houston vs. Washington

Sunday July 15
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - New York vs. Phoenix
5 p.m. - Denver vs. Dallas
7 p.m. - San Antonio vs. Atlanta
9 p.m. - Washington vs. NBA D-League

Thomas & Mack
5:30 p.m. - Toronto vs. Miami
7:30 p.m. - Cleveland vs. Charlotte
9:30 p.m. - New Orleans vs. Portland

Monday July 16
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - Atlanta vs. Boston
5 p.m. - Dallas vs. Toronto
7 p.m. - Cleveland vs. NBA D-League
9 p.m. - LA Clippers vs. Minnesota

Thomas & Mack
5:30 p.m. - Houston vs. Sacramento
7:30 p.m. - LA Lakers vs. Miami
9:30 p.m. - Milwaukee vs. New Orleans

Tuesday July 17
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - Denver vs. New York
5 p.m. - Washington vs. Memphis
7 p.m. - Portland vs. Houston
9 p.m. - Chicago vs. Boston

Thomas & Mack
5:30 p.m. - San Antonio vs. LA Lakers
7:30 p.m. - Cleveland vs. Phoenix
9:30 p.m. - Minnesota vs. Charlotte

Wednesday July 18
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - Milwaukee vs. Washington
5 p.m. - Chicago vs. Houston
7 p.m. - Atlanta vs. Dallas
9 p.m. - San Antonio vs. LA Clippers

Thomas & Mack
5:30 p.m. - Sacramento vs. Toronto
7:30 p.m. - New Orleans vs. Phoenix
9:30 p.m. - Golden State vs. Miami

Thursday July 19
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - New York vs. Toronto
5 p.m. - Portland vs. Atlanta
7 p.m. - Cleveland vs. Minnesota
9 p.m. - NBA D-League vs. Milwaukee

Thomas & Mack
5:30 p.m. - Boston vs. Sacramento
7:30 p.m. - LA Clippers vs. LA Lakers
9:30 p.m. - Charlotte vs. Denver

Friday July 20
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - New York vs. Cleveland
5 p.m. - Denver vs. Portland
7 p.m. - Miami vs. San Antonio
9 p.m. - NBA D-League vs. Phoenix

Thomas & Mack
5:30 p.m. - Memphis vs. Charlotte
7:30 p.m. - Chicago vs. Golden State
9:30 p.m. - Dallas vs. New Orleans

Saturday July 21
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - Portland vs. Miami
5 p.m. - Dallas vs. San Antonio
7 p.m. - NBA D-League vs. Minnesota
9 p.m. - Memphis vs. Phoenix

Thomas & Mack
5:30 p.m. - Golden State vs. New Orleans
7:30 p.m. - Chicago vs. LA Clippers
9:30 p.m. - Milwaukee vs. Boston

Sunday July 22
COX Pavilion
3 p.m. - Chicago vs. Milwaukee
5 p.m. - Boston vs. LA Clippers
7 p.m. - Memphis vs. Minnesota

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls Take John Jenkins In Chad Ford's Latest

The Chicago Bulls are projected to select Vanderbilt shooting guard John Jenkins with the 29th overall pick in the latest mock draft from ESPN's Chad Ford. While other mock drafts have had the Bulls taking a variety of different players, Ford has had Jenkins going to Chicago for a while now.

Here's what Ford wrote of the choice:

The Bulls need a shooter and Jenkins has one of the best strokes in the draft. His super-quick release and ability to finish at the basket make him an interesting prospect here.

With Derrick Rose likely to miss most of next season, the Bulls will desperately need added firepower on offense for next season. That won't be easy to find with the 29th overall pick, but it's likely that Chicago will be targeting the backcourt.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls Take France's Evan Fournier In SI.com's Latest

The Chicago Bulls are projected to select French guard Evan Fournier with the 29th overall pick in the latest mock draft from Sport Illustrated's Sam Amick. The general expectation in the industry is that the Bulls will use their first round pick to address issues in the backcourt if they don't end up using the pick in a trade.

With point guard and 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose sidelined 8-to-12 months after tearing his ACL in the playoffs, and with shooting guard Richard Hamilton showing his age (34) during an injury-filled season, the Bulls could use another scorer in their backcourt. There's no way of telling just yet whether Fournier can be the penetrating, playmaking perimeter threat in the NBA that he has been while playing for France, but he's worth gambling on here.

Last year, the Bulls nabbed a foreign player in the draft by acquiring Serbian forward Nikola Mirotic from the Houston Rockets. He's still playing in Europe at the moment, but he's considered to be a potentially important part of Chicago's future.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Chicago Bulls Projected To Take Kansas PG Tyshawn Taylor By Jeff Goodman Of CBS Sports

Point guard will certainly be a concern for the Chicago Bulls this offseason. The team should be without star Derrick Rose for most of next season, and backup C.J. Watson also might not back, with the Bulls holding a $3.2 million team option. It stands to reason Chicago would want to add depth at the position. In a new mock draft by Jeff Goodman of CBS Sports, the Bulls are projected to select Kansas point guard Tyshawn Taylor.

Related: 2012 NBA Mock Draft Meta-Analysis: Pre-NBA Draft Combine Version

Taylor is one of the top-rated seniors in this year's class. He was also one of the biggest reasons the Jayhawks reached the Final Four. The guard averaged a career-high 16.6 points per game last season, while also posting career-highs in assists (4.8) and steals (52).

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Bulls Setting Up Workout With SG Orlando Johnson

The Chicago Bulls are certainly in the market for a capable scorer heading into next season, and UC Santa Barbara shooting guard Orlando Johnson is trying to finalize a workout with the team for next week, according to K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Orlando Johnson is currently projected to land with the Bulls at pick No. 29 in the 2012 NBA Draft on the Draft Express mock from June 1. The 6-foot-5 guard boasts a versatile skill-set and a wingspan 0.25 inches longer than lottery pick Jeremy Lamb.

He averaged 19.7 points per game on 45.1 percent shooing and 42.7 percent accuracy beyond the arc, scoring on an array of pull-up jumpers and catch-and-shoot opportunities. The Draft Express scouting report says he lacks a potent first step and struggles to create good opportunities with the ball in his hands, which is what limits his NBA upside and pushes him to the late first-round, but the Bulls need anyone who has a knack for scoring to carry the load while Derrick Rose and Luol Deng heal up at the beginning of the year. The Bulls have already gone through workouts with combo guards Jared Cunningham and Doron Lamb.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Bulls Meet With Prospect Harrison Barnes

KC Johnson of the Chicago Tribune is reporting the Chicago Bulls have met with one of the league's top prospects, SF Harrison Barnes of the North Carolina Tar Heels. According to Barnes, the Bulls sat down mostly to talk about how Barnes would potentially fit on the Bulls team:

"It was good," Barnes said Friday. "Coach (Tom) Thibodeau was there and we just kind of talked about where their team was, where they saw themselves going and the personality traits I have are similar to what they want to keep on that team."

The Bulls, however, are unlikely to get a chance to see how Barnes would fit on the roster, as Barnes is projected to go as a high lottery pick, and Chicago is only selecting at the No. 29 slot -- not to mention the team already has an All-Star caliber small forward in the Luol Deng.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of Illini basketball, head over to Hail to the Orange. And for more from around the world of college hoops, check out SB Nation's NCAA basketball news hub. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Rumors: Say Goodbye To The 'Bench Mob'?

2012 NBA Draft Rumors: Bulls Want 'Athletic Combo Guards'

The Chicago Bulls hold the No. 29 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and the prospects that worked out for the team prior to the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago are saying the Bulls want to add "athletic combo guards" and "a backup point guard and shooter." These quotes are from Oregon State guard Jared Cunningham and Kentucky guard Doron Lamb, respectively, by way of K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune. Both prospects worked out for the Bulls earlier in the week, and they each came away the impression that the team is looking to add someone like them.

With Derrick Rose on the shelf until at least late-December and Luol Deng a question mark for the start of the season, the Bulls need a player who can step in and add something to the team right away. That's exactly what Lamb told K.C. Johnson: "They told me they're looking for a backup point guard and shooter and someone who can play right away." Along the same lines, Cunningham heard from Chicago about their draft wants: "They said they're looking for athletic combo guards. I feel I can help them."

To be fair, what team wouldn't want athletic combo guards and someone who can play right away? Welcome to NBA Draft season, folks.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Draft: Backcourt Prospects Vie For Bulls Attention

A pair of backcourt prospects -- Terrell Holloway and Jared Cunningham -- spoke with the media about potentially luring the Chicago Bulls into selecting them in the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft:

Xavier's Tu Holloway on Monday workout: "With Derrick Rose hurt, they told me they’re definitely looking for more guys in the backcourt."

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 7, 2012

Oregon State's Jared Cunningham on Bulls workout: "I can fit their needs of being an athletic combo guard. That's what they're looking for."

— K.C Johnson (@KCJHoop) June 7, 2012

The Bulls will likely be without their star PG Derrick Rose for at least half the season, requiring them to appeal to the rookie talent pool for help. Rose played in only 39 of the Bulls' 66 regular season games before tearing his ACL in the opening series of the 2012 NBA Playoffs.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls Select Tomas Satoransky In SB Nation Mock

The Chicago Bulls hold the No. 29 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, but they are in an unusual spot. Unlike most teams drafting so far back in the first round, the Bulls may be looking for someone to contribute immediately. With Derrick Rose out to start the season and Luol Deng's status up in the air after his pending Olympic experience, Chicago will need scoring from somewhere. Then again, maybe the 29th pick isn't the best place to pin their hopes anyways.

SB Nation's Tom Ziller has the Bulls selecting 6-foot-7 combo guard Tomas Satoransky from the Czech Republic in his latest 2012 NBA Mock Draft.

Satoransky is the 42nd-best prospect in the draft, according to Draft Express, but he was recently added to the list of invitees for the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago and perhaps a good showing would make the 20-year-old a more attractive player at the end of the first round. An interesting player still on the board when the Bulls select is Marquette swingman Jae Crowder.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Chad Ford Still Has Bulls Taking John Jenkins

In his latest mock draft, ESPN's Chad Ford projects the Chicago Bulls to select Vanderbilt shooting guard John Jenkins with the 29th overall pick. It's the same projection that Ford had in his mock draft from last week, so clearly he believes that there's a good fit here.

The Bulls need a shooter and Jenkins has one of the best strokes in the draft. His super-quick release and ability to finish at the basket make him an interesting prospect here.

Going into next season, scoring will be an obvious need for the Bulls, particularly if Derrick Rose's rehab doesn't progress as planned. While they likely won't be able to find some immediate impact with the 29th pick, adding some depth on the wings will likely be a primary focus.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Bulls Select Evan Fournier In Sports Illustrated Mock Draft

With the NBA Finals drawing to a close and the Chicago Bulls eagerly awaiting the 2012-13 NBA season, many have turned their eyes to the upcoming 2012 NBA Draft.

The latest mock draft from the analysts at Sports Illustrated suggest the Bulls will look for help internationally in the first round, selecting SG Evan Fournier:

29) SG Evan Fournier Poitiers (France) 6-7, 206

With point guard and 2010-11 MVP Derrick Rose sidelined 8-to-12 months after tearing his ACL in the playoffs, and with shooting guard Richard Hamilton showing his age (34) during an injury-filled season, the Bulls could use another scorer in their backcourt. There's no way of telling just yet whether Fournier can be the penetrating, playmaking perimeter threat in the NBA that he has been while playing for France, but he's worth gambling on here.

In the 2011-12 season, the Bulls finished tied for the best record in the NBA, but lost in the first round of the playoffs after PG Derrick Rose went down with a torn ACL.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: ESPN Projects John Jenkins To Bulls

The Chicago Bulls hold the No. 29 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, so the results of the lottery didn't directly impact their pick, but now that the top 14 selections have been assigned the mock draft scene is heating up. Over at ESPN, Chad Ford released his 2012 NBA Mock Draft 5.0 (insider only) just hours after the lottery ended, and in it he projects Vanderbilt shooting guard John Jenkins to the Bulls.

Jenkins is a 6-foot-4 shooter with good range and a quick release on his shot, so he could help the Bulls space the floor and stretch the defense as a role player. Other prospects still on the board at the Bulls' pick include G Doron Lamb, C Festus Ezeli, F Royce White and G Tyshawn Taylor.

For more on NBA Draft prospect rankings, be sure to check out this breakdown of the hierarchy and the changes on Draft Express and ESPN.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Chicago Bulls Get One Step Closer To Winning 2016 NBA Lottery

NBA Mock Draft 2012: DraftExpress Projects Bulls To Take Orlando Johnson

In their final mock draft to be released before Wednesday night's NBA Draft Lottery, DraftExpress.com projects the Chicago Bulls to select UC Santa Barbara shooting guard Orlando Johnson with the 29th overall pick in the upcoming draft.

Johnson, 23, emerged as a star for the Gauchos over a three-year career there, leading the school to consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances during his sophomore and junior seasons. The team went 20-11 during his senior season but failed to qualify after losing in the Big West Conference Tournament to Long Beach State.

A quality shooter and rebounder, Johnson averaged 19.7 PPG on 45 percent shooting, 5.8 RPG, 2.9 APG and 1.1 SPG during his senior season. Measuring in a 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, he has the size to handle both guard positions in the NBA.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more comprehensive coverage, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

2012 NBA Mock Draft: Guard John Jenkins On Bulls' Radar?

In the latest 2012 NBA mock draft projections from the analysts at HOOPSWORLD, the Chicago Bulls are given a few different players at No. 29, including Vanderbilt junior guard John Jenkins. Shooting guard is one area in which the Bulls may look to improve (and get younger) through the draft.

Here's what DraftExpress has to say about Jenkins:

Besides improving his 3-point percentages from 41% to 44% (an important development), Jenkins' stat line as a junior is practically a carbon copy of what he posted last year, and his outlook from an NBA perspective also remains largely the same from the last time we profiled him. One of the best shooters in the country with great versatility in getting his shot off, Jenkins has one clear-cut, high-level NBA skill, but still struggles to consistently stand out in other areas.

Related: Chicago Bulls Offseason Questions: FAQ on using the Amnesty Provision to waive Carlos Boozer

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. For additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Draft Grades Show Chicago Bulls Drafted Well From 2007-2010

Despite their inauspicious end to the 2012 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls have clearly ascended to the top of the Eastern Conference along with the Miami Heat, and with the organization turning to the 2012 NBA Draft, SB Nation's Tom Ziller has taken the time to look back on NBA Draft picks from 2007-2010. It's an exercise that is often overlooked and cast aside in favor of knee-jerk reactions to the most recent picks, but thoughtful evaluations of prior drafts often provides a greater perspective on how well the GM and scouting staff assessed the landscape relative to their pick position.

Here is a quick recap of the Bulls picks from each year (click on each draft grade link for Ziller's analysis for each team):

2007 NBA Draft Grade, Chicago Bulls: A

Joakim Noah (9), Aaron Gray (49), JamesOn Curry (51)

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2008 NBA Draft Grade, Chicago Bulls: A+

Derrick Rose (1), Omer Asik (36)

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2009 NBA Draft Grade, Chicago Bulls: A-

James Johnson (16), Taj Gibson (26)

A largely home-grown team like the Bulls should be something that gives Chicago fans hope for the future, but a lot of that recent production is also founded on a lottery-ball miracle that presented Derrick Rose to the franchise with a bow on top. Can the front office continue to find late-round gems to bolster depth in anticipation of Rose's return? At least the last few years worth of evidence provides a positive trend.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Mock Draft 2012: Chicago Bulls Projected To Select Guard Orlando Johnson By Draft Express

The Chicago Bulls will have the No. 29 overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The latest mock draft from Draft Express has the Bulls tabbing UC Sana Barbara shooting guard Orlando Johnson with the selection.

Johnson certainly has the size to play in the NBA at 6-foot-5. He also has a freakish 6-foot-11 wingspan and is said to have one of the best vertical leaps in the class. Johnson averaged 19.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Gauchos last season.

The Bulls could certainly figure to be in the mix for backcourt help with Derrick Rose scheduled to miss the majority of next season while he recovers from a torn ACL. At the off-guard position, the team also holds on option on Ronnie Brewer.

For more, stick with SB Nation Chicago. For more on the Bulls, head over to Blog a Bull. Additional news, notes and analysis from around the NBA, visit SB Nation's NBA news hub.