Bulls Not Saying Much With NBA Draft Set For Tonight
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jun 28, 2012 8:40PM
There's been much speculation about what the Bulls are going to do tonight during the NBA Draft. And they're going to have to do something if they expect to remain a title contender with Derrick Rose recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his knee.
All things regarding the Bulls future hinge on Rose's recovery. So the team is looking for backup at point guard. According to NBC Sports' Vin Parise, the Bulls will select Kansas point guard Tyshawn Taylor with the 29th pick in the first round.
According to league sources, the Chicago Bulls are drafting Tyshawn Taylor from Kansas tonight with the 29th pick -- backup for Derrick Rose
— Vin Parise (@VinParise) June 28, 2012
Taylor was a four-year player at Kansas and helped lead the Jayhawks to the NCAA title game last season, losing to Kentucky, Anthony Davis and his unibrow. He was projected as a high second-round pick. Taylor has made strides in his game but scouts still knock him for his decision making and a penchant for turning over the ball. Taylor only averaged five assists a game last season as the Jayhawks primary ballhandler and, more glaring, shot 69 percent from the charity stripe.
The Bulls were also revealed to be one of five NBA teams interested in taking a look at veteran guard Brandon Roy. Roy retired due to chronic knee injuries and may not be the best option to back up Rose, or whomever starts at the point this season.
Then there were the trade rumors involving Luol Deng that Deng addressed while training with the British Olympic men's basketball team. Deng, who played through a wrist ligament injury last season, opted to play for Great Britain in the London Olympics and then have surgery to repair the ligament, which could affect his return to the Bulls. Bulls VP John Paxson and GM Gar Forman have been vocal about their wish for Deng to have surgery now. The Bulls haven't confirmed they're shopping Deng, but Deng said where there's smoke there's fire.
"But as an athlete, if you get caught up in them, you are really wasting your time because it's not something you can control. If it's not true, a GM could always come out and say it's not true. But if a GM doesn't come out and say it, there are probably talks. And there should be. If I was a GM I would be shopping players around too. I've got to show that I'm doing something."
Tim Bearden contributed to this post.