Barring an unexpected twist, most experts believe the Chicago Bulls won’t see much drama with their #4 overall pick. They will stay put and take North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. It is a great fit for what new VP of Basketball Operations, Bryson Graham, wants to build. He wants size, length, athleticism, and physicality. Wilson embodies all of that. The greater mystery is what the Bulls have planned for their 15th overall pick courtesy of Portland. Rumors have persisted that Illinois guard Keaton Wagler is a potential trade-up target. However, with that being unlikely, it sounds like the true name to watch is Morez Johnson.
Marc Stein of The Stein Line revealed in a recent column that many around the league feel the big Michigan forward won’t get past the Bulls’ spot, and they might be willing to move up for him.
Teams picking just outside the lottery are increasingly operating under the belief that Michigan big man Morez Johnson Jr. won’t be on the board past Chicago at No. 15… if he even makes it that far.
Several teams told The Stein Line that they think Johnson’s floor might actually be Charlotte one slot earlier at No. 14, which has led to some thought around the league that the Bulls will try to trade up a couple slots to try to leapfrog the Hornets. Both of those teams have an obvious need in the frontcourt.
Oklahoma City is another team I’ve heard as a possible landing spot for Johnson at No. 12.
It isn’t a secret that Chicago wants to add more size and physicality. Johnson brings both to the table. He has great defensive versatility and is a constant menace around the glass. His presence was crucial throughout the Wolverines’ championship run in March, especially in the title game, where he had 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks against UConn.
Morez Johnson would be a callback to 1987.
Normally, NBA teams like to address the frontcourt and backcourt simultaneously when they have two 1st round picks. It gives them a chance to find a playmaker for both areas. Perfectly logical. However, doubling up on the frontcourt is something the Bulls have had success doing in the past. Look back to 1987 for the perfect example. That year, they swung a trade with Seattle to get Scottie Pippen at the 5th overall pick. Then, with the 10th overall pick, they selected Horace Grant. Both would become fixtures in Chicago’s first three-peat from 1991 through 1993.
🔥 Subscribe to the Untold Chicago YouTube channel to hear Chicago legends tell stories you’ve never seen in headlines — real moments, real experiences, straight from the athletes themselves.
That is likely the vision the Bulls have with Wilson and Johnson. Wilson will be the supremely athletic small forward who excels on defense. Johnson will be the low-post presence who protects the rim and gets you 10 points and 10 rebounds. That is a great foundation to start a team with. If both pan out as hoped, that means the Bulls would only have to find a dynamic offensive presence who can handle the scoring, and they might have the formula to get back into the Eastern picture.
There is something else about this strategy.
The Bulls appear intent on plucking from established programs. Morez Johnson comes from Michigan. Wilson comes from North Carolina. Both are college powerhouses and have been for decades. This is something the team hadn’t been doing consistently over the past several years. You had Tony Snell (New Mexico) over Mason Plumlee (Duke) in 2013. Next was Doug McDermott (Creighton) over Zach Lavine (UCLA) in 2014. Of course, we can’t forget Patrick Williams (Florida State) over Onyeka Okongwu (USC) in 2020.
Yes, there are instances where drifting outside of the normal honey hole can yield big results. However, the prospect has to be undeniably good for such a risk. That was never the case with all of those previous Bulls picks. Graham seems intent on not overthinking this draft. He wants two good athletes from two great programs with winning cultures.
