State of the Chicago Bulls: 2012 NBA Draft Edition

NEWARK, NJ. The Chicago Bulls went with a familiar formula of drafting a solid player from a strong college program, selecting 6' 2" University of Kentucky Point Guard Marquis Teague with the 29th Overall Pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

University of Kentucky PG Marquis Teague was selected #29 Overall by the Chicago Bulls.

Teague is a lightning quick creator who, along with #1 Overall Pick, Anthony Davis, and #2 Overall Pick, Michael Kidd-Gilcrist, started for the 2012 National Champions, University of Kentucky, under John Calipari. The Bulls selected another Calipari-coached point guard #1 Overall in 2008-- Derrick Rose.

Marquis Teague averaged 10.0 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game in 2011-2012 for the Wildcats.

Marquis is the younger brother of the Atlanta Hawks Jeff Teague.

Following weeks of speculation that the Bulls might consider a bold reboot due to the expected loss of next season due to Derrick Rose's knee injury and rehab, the Bulls front office blacked out the press in the days before Thursday's NBA Draft.

With the selections before them made, the Chicago Bulls' brain trust allegedly made a bold move of sorts. The Bulls, surprised that Teague (who was listed by ESPN as the #19 talent in the draft), was still available at #29, took a flying leap by selecting him, despite not having had Teague in for private workouts. It was a big gamble for a front office that has been derided in recent days as too conservative, however only time can tell if GarPax made the right selection.

Several players were connected to the Chicago Bulls as the combo guard that would be had at #29 Overall who would also be expected to fill both the huge shoes of the 2011 NBA MVP, Derrick Rose, during his rehab and to fill the starting shooting guard spot next to Rose when he returns. John Jenkins was one player that the Bulls were thought to be targeting, however the Atlanta Hawks ended up selecting Jenkins at #23. With their other targets, the Bulls would have had to reach for second rounders with their #29 First-Round Pick.



While not the bolder, riskier reboot of last season's top seeded team in the NBA Playoffs that many were expecting following trade rumors that centered around Chicago Bulls' starters Luol Deng and Joakim Noah, GarPax took a small risk on a player with National Championship pedigree, and with Rose's extended absence, Teague will have the precious playing time needed to develop. And if Teague develops into a player like brother, Jeff, fans will have a lot to be excited about. Overall, Bulls' management is content with their only pick of the 2012 NBA Draft.

Tell us how you would grade the Chicago Bulls 2012 NBA Draft selection of Marquis Teague! 

With NBA Draft Approaching, Time Running Out For Chicago Bulls Reload

NEWARK, NJ. The 2012 NBA Draft will take place this Thursday night, and will begin with the New Orleans Hornets selecting Anthony Davis with the first overall pick.

After that, there is little certainty about where players will go, just as there is little certainty about what the Chicago Bulls plans are regarding Draft night.

One rumor has the Chicago Bulls sending Luol Deng to Sacramento for Tyreke Evans and the #5 Overall Pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.

Trade rumors have been going back and forth, reaching a fever pitch. Luol Deng and/or Joakim Noah have been linked to deals with the Sacramento Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers, the Houston Rockets, and most recently, the Golden State Warriors.

The Chicago Bulls have been rumored to be looking to acquire a lottery pick along with either an established player or, possibly, a trade exception.

Even Luol Deng has commented that he is unsure about whether he will be traded in one of the many trade scenarios to surface.

Despite Deng being selected for his first All-Star game this last season, the Chicago Bulls have maxed out their salary cap and may be penalized under luxury tax rules starting next season, and while Chicago Bulls ownership is willing to pay the luxury tax for a championship team, Derrick Rose's season ending injury and subsequent rehab seems to promise that the Bulls will not be at the same championship level that they had been playing at for at least several months into the 2012-13 NBA season.

Amidst the numerous trade rumors, the Chicago Bulls' front office has been quiet. However, the Chicago Bulls front office under John Paxson has made a draft night deal in 6 of 8 NBA Drafts, so it might be more surprising if the Bulls do not pull off a deal.

With the Chicago Bulls' future hanging in the balance until Draft Night, fans can only hang on for the ride and think, "In GarPax We Trust".