NBA Draft 2021: 5 best potential fits for OK State star Cade Cunningham

2. Chicago Bulls

Thirteen years ago, the Bulls turned the 9th best odds (a 1.7% chance) of landing the No. 1 pick, culminating in an MVP season and No. 1 overall seed in the East for Derrick Rose and the Chicago Bulls. What would happen if the Bulls again lucked into a franchise-changing guard?

After a relatively bad start to the season, the Bulls pushed all their chips in, in a deal centered around their first-round pick in exchange for Nikola Vucevic. This was seen as a “win-now” move to help the Bulls make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. But some late-season injuries denied them that opportunity. They finished the season at 31-41 and have the 8th best odds (4.5%) at landing the No. 1 pick. Their pick is top-four protected, and if it falls outside that range it will go to the Orlando Magic

If they landed Cunningham, he would be their best point guard since Rose. The Bulls have plenty of scoring in Zach Lavine, Nikola Vucevic, and some nights Coby White, but need a lead playmaker. Next to the high-scoring LaVine, Cunningham would see plenty of open shots but would also be able to create some looks for his running mate.

The Bulls would be one of the more fun passing teams in the league as Vucevic and Thaddeus Young are both plus passers for bigs. Defensively, Cunningham would slot in nicely next to Patrick Williams.

The Bulls have some intriguing win-now players, and Cunningham would raise their ceiling from day one. But he would also set them up nicely for the future, as Williams was the youngest American prospect in last year’s draft and showed flashes in his rookie year.