The numbers are the numbers for the Bulls right now through 18 games.
At 7-11, Billy Donovan’s crew is on pace to post just under 32 victories. Bad, but not bad enough. Not with what’s at stake come the May 12 draft lottery.
Even last season when the bottom half of the NBA wasn’t tanking as hard as they will this season, 32 wins would have put the Bulls barely in the bottom 10. As of Tuesday afternoon, it puts them as the No. 8 worse team, but in a crowded neighborhood with Brooklyn, Indiana and Portland.
What the Bulls have on their side in keeping the top 10 protected first-round draft pick from San Antonio is one of the leakiest defenses in the Association. They are 28th in defensive efficiency rating (118.2), while allowing an NBA-worst 123.9 points per game on 49% from the field.
What makes them dangerous in getting hot and winning some games is a league-leading offensive pace of 104.78 and 42.6 three-point attempts (third highest) per game.
The bow wrapping up all of this is the Bulls do have the third-easiest schedule remaining.
So what path will executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas choose? The Sun-Times, as well as several other media outlets, have reported that Karnisovas was still going to actively try and trade Zach LaVine and Nikola Vucevic.
Moving one or both would definitely drop the Bulls into an advantageous lottery spot. The current No. 8 position isn’t exactly that.
The chance of landing No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg is currently 6.7% and the chances of landing in the top four is 29%. However, No. 8 doesn’t keep the pick safe from the Spurs, either, with a 0.4% chance that they could draw No. 11 and be out of luck.
To make sure that the Spurs have no chance at all of hitting on the pick the Bulls would have to be at No. 6 or lower.
Considering the current state of Washington, New Orleans, Toronto, Utah, Charlotte and Detroit, that will be a tough get for the Bulls with the way they’re currently playing.
As the top 8 in this draft class have been showing so far, there is a lot on the line for the Bulls to change the direction of the organization.
1. Cooper Flagg — Forward, Duke
Flagg has been sensational on both ends of the floor so far, showing why he is one of the more coveted players in recent years. It’s not just his skills on the court, either. He has the make-up and intangibles to become a game changer.
2. Ace Bailey — Forward, Rutgers
Slowed by an injury to start the year, Bailey has been as good as advertised, averaging 19 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.2% from three.
3. Dylan Harper — Guard, Rutgers
The Bulls aren’t exactly in the point guard market, but Harper has been sensational and can play off the ball. The outside shooting hasn’t been there, but Harper is definitely a top three talent.
4. Egor Demin — Guard, BYU
The freshman has been a sniper from long range, shooting 56.5% from three-point range, while also handing out 7.2 assists per game. There is a drop from the top three at this spot, however.
5. V.J. Edgecombe — Guard, Baylor
A true off guard, Edgecombe has flashed, especially in a 20-point performance against Tennessee over the weekend.
6. Tre Johnson — Guard, Texas
There was a lot of hype with Johnson, and so far he’s surpassing it. In his first six games he’s averaged 21.2 points per game, while shooting 46.3% from three. There’s another drop off in talent after Johnson.
7. Kon Knueppel — Guard/Forward, Duke
Has the potential to be a flat-out outside scorer on the next level and has shown an ability to play-make from the wing.
8. Khaman Maluach — Center, Duke
At 7-2 there’s a lot to like with the freshman, but it’s a lot of raw ability that will have to be developed.