This offseason is setting up to be an interesting one for the Chicago Bulls. The Ping-Pong balls didn’t fall their way at the NBA Draft Lottery, and their second-rounder was stripped of them because they broke tampering rules when signing Lonzo Ball. That means they have zero picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, but they’re still getting involved in the festivities.
A recent report from KC Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago revealed that the Bulls met with some high-profile draft prospects after the lottery results came through. They could simply be doing their due diligence, but there’s always a chance they trade into the draft. And considering they interviewed Alabama’s Brandon Miller, a projected top-three pick, rumblings of a potential trade with the Portland Trail Blazers have kickstarted.
Portland has been rumored to be shopping the third-overall pick, and if Chicago made a move to land in that spot, drafting Miller would be a real possibility. After his meeting with Chicago, Miller had some nice things to say about the Bulls.
Chicago Bulls NBA Draft Watch: Brandon Miller shares thoughts on Bulls
As relayed by Johnson, Miller spoke highly of his meeting with Chicago.
“It was all good vibes. It was just to see where my headspace is at, kind of about my life, how I grew up,” Miller said. “I think it’s more about the bond, just talking to somebody. The bond is the most important thing with anything in anybody’s career. I think you should always build a bond and trust somebody, so you know what you’re walking into.”
Chicago Bulls trade rumors: Blazers shopping third pick
With Miller anticipated to go in the top three of the draft, Chicago would need to make a huge trade if they wanted to select him.
According to Zach Lowe of ESPN, Portland could shop the third pick, giving the Bulls an opening.
“The Blazers moving up from No. 5 to No. 3 raised eyebrows all over the league right away,” wrote Lowe. “The Blazers could of course keep that pick, but rival executives expect them to explore the kind of veteran help that pick — plus other players — might fetch for Damian Lillard. (Executives also expect the Blazers to re-sign Jerami Grant.) The No. 3 pick by itself won’t net a game-changing veteran. What might the combination of that pick and Anfernee Simons get Portland? If they do try to load up around Lillard — which requires Lillard indicating he’d like to stay in Portland — expect the Blazers to go after wings and big men, sources said.”
Chicago Bulls NBA Draft Watch: Brandon Miller would fit Bulls
Trading one of DeMar DeRozan or Zach LaVine in a package for the third pick would be a huge change-up for the Bulls, one they’re unlikely to make, considering Arturas Karnisovas’ thoughts on rebuilding.
However, if their interest in Miller grows, there is certainly a pathway for the Bulls to trade up and get him.
