NBA Mock Draft: Chicago Bulls Selects DJ Wilson From Michigan

SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making their team's pick. To continue the 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Blog A Bull takes DJ Wilson from Michigan

By Dakota Schmidt@Dakota_Schmidt Jun 16, 2017, 11:00am EDT

NCAA Basketball Tournament - Second Round - Michigan v Louisville

NBA Mock Draft Pick #16 -- DJ Wilson, Power Forward, Michigan

SBNation’s Chicago Bulls blog Blog A Bull explains their pick:

The Bulls have to try something new. For years, Chicago's front office has targeted veteran college players from winning programs who gradually improved over time. This worked out well with Joakim Noah back in the day, but it hasn't provided results lately. The Doug McDermott trade will haunt this franchise for a long time. Denzel Valentine was supposed to be "NBA ready" before he didn't get on the floor at all in the playoffs. Wilson represents a change in philosophy: this is swinging for a home run instead of a single. At 6'10 with a 7'3 wingspan, Wilson has the size of a big man and the skill set of a wing. He offers a rare combination of three-point shooting, athleticism and shot blocking. If the Bulls are ever going to stop being mediocre, they need to nail a high-upside draft pick. Wilson is worth the risk.

Ridiculous Upside Analysis

To echo the sentiments of the crew at Blog A Bull, Wilson definitely stands as the kind of player that the team wouldn’t select in any other year. Although Wilson didn’t have the kind of college career as most 1st round picks, he’s exhibited flashes of being a really unique player. Standing at 6’10 with a 7’3 wingspan, Wilson plays more like a small forward due to his hustle and great athleticism. Coinciding with that, he has potential as a perimeter weapon as he shot 37% from beyond the arc on 2.9 attempts per game.