Bulls Work Out Potential Top Picks

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Jun 18, 2008 3:40PM

Having won the NBA Draft Lottery, the Bulls are free to select any player available -- but the consensus top two players are power forward Michael Beasley from Kansas State and point guard Derrick Rose of Memphis. With the choice pretty much narrowed to those two, the Bulls are bringing each in for personal workouts and interviews this week.

Beasley spent the past two days meeting with Bulls officials at the Berto Center and going through drills on the team's practice court. Known for his playfulness, Beasley joked with the media when asked about his height and the psychological testing.

His thoughts on new Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro? Said Beasley, "Everybody’s been cool. [Del Negro] was real laid back, he had a couple jokes." From what we hear about Beasley -- five high schools in four years, due to expulsions -- he needs a coach who's not so laid back.

Next!

Derrick Rose begins his two day visit on Wednesday. The point guard led Memphis to the NCAA championship game in April and has none of the "character issues" that have dogged Beasley. Will he impress the Bulls brass enough to solidify himself as the top pick? Most draft boards have him slightly ahead of Beasley, but the Bulls need the post scoring the KSU power forward can offer so Chicagoist could see the Bulls going either direction.

Maybe we'll know more after Rose's visit concludes. Or perhaps John Paxson will keep everybody in the dark until draft day.

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel and AP Photo/Eric Gay