Caleb Wilson wanted to be a Bull.
With the No. 4 overall pick in Tuesday’s first round of the NBA Draft, the Bulls made it very clear that the feeling was mutual.
The Bulls selected the North Carolina product – all 6-10 of him – truly tipping off the Bryson Graham Era, as the executive vice president of basketball operations has added an elite athlete who instantly changes the defensive end of the floor with his ability to protect the rim and rebound.
A lot of boxes that Graham wanted checked, especially with Wilson averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game in his one season with the Tar Heels.
And then there’s the mentality Wilson brings.
“I’m hungry, man,” Wilson said after the selection. “I’m always going to do what it takes to get better. I want to be the greatest player of all time. You all got one of the greatest (players) in your history now (in Michael Jordan) so it’s time for another one.”
Wilson was asked about that North Carolina-Bulls connection and again said all the right things.
“It’s extremely important,” Wilson said of that link. “I’ve always wanted to play for a franchise (like this) in college, one with a great fan base and a storied program. Just for the history of the game, I’m excited about this opportunity and I can’t wait.”
The Bulls weren’t done, also having the No. 15 pick thanks to Portland, and with that selection went with 6-7 Texas slasher Dailyn Swain.
A player with serious potential and a defensive mindset.
“I just look at myself as a versatile player,” Swain said. “I bring defensive versatility, understand the game, being a connected player, and I kind of see myself from Day 1, developing into whatever the team needs from me.”
Swain averaged 17.3 points per game last season but did only shoot 34.4% from three-point range, so will need some work in that department.
A bride to cross on another night, as Graham acknowledged that neither pick was where they needed to be in the shooting department.
“We’re establishing a (defensive) identity,” Graham said. “I think that’s really important for this organization, especially where we are right now. We’re not addressing every skill yet. A lot of people might be like, ‘Where’s the shooting at?’ and things of that nature. I’m not typically worried about that right now. There’s a certain mentality and a certain profile in a way that Coach Tiago (Splitter) and myself want to play.”
Not that landing Wilson was a surprise at four, considering the top four players went as scripted.
Since the college season ended and Washington hit draft lottery gold by grabbing the top spot, the Wizards were linked to BYU standout AJ Dybantsa. There was a bit of drama the last week when Kansas guard Darryn Peterson refused to work out for anyone except the Wizards, almost daring them to pass on him, but over the weekend he accepted a visit from the Jazz and met with their brass.
Just like that the bridge was fixed and Utah grabbed their guy at No. 2.
With Peterson gone, the overwhelming No. 3 on most boards was power forward Cameron Boozer and that’s where Memphis went, landing the son of one-time Bull Carlos Boozer.
That left the Bulls with Wilson – a no-brainer at No. 4 of one of the deeper draft classes in decades.
Good news for the league, and even better for the Eastern Conference, who will have new blood in Dybantsa and Wilson.
But it’s a move made 24 hours earlier with the old guard that could determine the East next season.
Giannis Antetokounmpo rumors were swirling for over a year now, and late Monday night Milwaukee finally pulled the trigger on a deal with Miami, sending the 2021 Finals MVP to South Beach – along with one-time Bull Bobby Portis – while the Bucks got back a haul that included All-Star Tyler Herro, and young prospects Kel’el Ware, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Kasparas Jakucionis.
Not the only trade made on draft eve, either.
Graham insisted on the day the Reinsdorfs hired him that he was going to be creative with the $50-plus million cap space he was inheriting, and that he was using some of the money for trade capital. In a three-way deal with Brooklyn and Minnesota, the Bulls acquired center Nic Claxton from the Nets, sending Mo Gueye to Minnesota. All-Star Julius Randle went to Brooklyn, as it proved to be a salary dump for the Timberwolves.
Salary they wasted no time reallocating, inking former Bull Ayo Dosunmu to a five-year, $112 million extension.