Pick No. 7 is clearly the big draw for the Bulls when the 2018 NBA Draft begins next week. A top-10 lottery pick in a deep draft like this means a potential All-Star if the right player falls out of the top 5.
But pick No. 22 in the first round is also an important piece for the franchise's future. It's possible that pick No. 22 is packaged with something else in a trade on, or before, draft night. If the Bulls opt to keep the pick, however, they should have an intriguing group of players to pick from in a deep draft.
And with pick No. 22 holding a very favorable cap number on the NBA's rookie pay scale, hitting correctly on that pick could accelerate the Bulls rebuild while making the franchise a more attractive option for potential free agents.
Here's a look at five players the Bulls should be targeting at No. 22.
These five players were selected based on the probability of being available at pick No. 22 while also being a need and/or good fit for Fred Hoiberg's system. Also be sure to check out five players the Bulls should avoid at No. 22.
Donte DiVincenzo, SG, Villanova: After a monster NCAA tournament in which he helped Villanova capture the national championship, the 6-foot-5 DiVincenzo became one of the darlings of the NBA Draft Combine by showcasing versatility, a competitive edge and a combine-leading 42-inch max vertical.
Possessing deep range on his jumper and the ability to play multiple perimeter spots, DiVincenzo's toughness, skill level and potential two-way ability have made him a virtual lock first rounder. Some mock drafts even have him in the late teens. If DiVincenzo falls to the Bulls at No. 22, they shouldn't be afraid to snatch him up. It also doesn't hurt that DiVincenzo worked out with former Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich before the Combine, as Hinrich gave the Villanova product some strong reviews.
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Keita Bates-Diop, SF, Ohio State: The former Buckeye will have some local name recognition as he thrived during his high school career at downstate Normal U-High and with the famed Illinois Wolves AAU program. A bit of a late bloomer, in part because of injuries suffered at Ohio State, Bates-Diop eventually became the Big Ten Player of the Year by showing impressive potential as a two-way forward.
At 6-foot-7 with a ridiculous 7-foot-2 wingspan, Bates-Diop passes the look test. He also improved his perimeter jumper (35.9 percent from deep) and overall ball skills during his college career. Not many draft prospects averaged over a block per game (1.6 bpg) while shooting as well from the perimeter as Bates-Diop has. Bates-Diop is especially enticing as a draft prospect because of his ability to play as a four or a five in small-ball lineups.
Troy Brown Jr., SG, Oregon: Most of the players on this list are college veterans. Brown opted to be a one-and-done after an up-and-down freshman campaign with the Ducks. Luckily for Brown, he has been on the NBA radar since he dominated high school seniors, including Jalen Brunson, at the LeBron James Skills Academy when he was only 14 years old.
One of the youngest players in the draft (he turns 19 in late July) the Las Vegas native can play multiple spots on the floor. At 6-foot-7, Brown is a converted former point guard who eventually found his calling on the wing. Capable of doing all of the little things, Brown rebounds, provides secondary ball handling and can operate with the ball in his hands out of high ball screens. Perimeter shooting and adding strength are the two major long-term questions for Brown. But he's a high-character person with a strong work ethic who should carve out a long career in the NBA.
Aaron Holiday, G, UCLA: This potential pick would already have ties to the Bulls as Aaron's older brother, Justin, is currently on the roster. After three stellar seasons with the Bruins, Aaron is now hoping to become the third Holiday brother in the NBA (brother Jrue is with the Pelicans).
Smaller than his older brothers at 6-foot-1, Aaron makes up for his smaller size at the point with an absurd 6-foot-7.5 wingspan that enables him to play bigger on the defensive end. A talented perimeter shooter who never shot below 41 percent from 3-point range during his three years in Westwood, Holiday has shown that he can run a team on the ball or play as a shooter off of the ball. It should also be pointed out that Holiday was a selfless teammates at UCLA. Opting to come off the bench his sophomore season so Lonzo Ball could start, Holiday was great as both a starter and a sixth man during his college career.
Chandler Hutchison, SF, Boise State: The Bulls have already been linked to Hutchison during the NBA Draft process as he would be a natural fit on the wing. A classic late bloomer who developed during his final two seasons at Boise State, the 6-foot-7 Hutchison sports a solid 7-foot wingspan to go along with a much-improved scoring package.
Previously a mediocre perimeter shooter, Hutchison worked hard to become more consistent from distance his final two seasons with the Broncos. A fluid athlete who should also be able to grow into a solid perimeter defender, Hutchison is one of the more NBA-ready prospects who should available in the No. 22 range.