The Chicago Bulls have traded into the 2023 NBA Draft, acquiring the 34th pick from the Sacramento Kings and selecting Tennessee forward Julian Phillips, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Chicago gave up future second-rounders in the deal.
Heading into the draft, the Bulls had zero selections, but adding Phillips will give them a nice infusion of youth and help them round out the roster. Chicago’s only forwards on the roster were Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry, but now they will add Phillips to that mix. The 6-foot-7 forward spent one year with the Volunteers and thrives on the defensive end of the court, which should give the Bulls a nice boost on that end of the court.
According to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, Phillips’ biggest strengths are his off-ball defense, hustle, feel for the game, and rebounding. O’Connor lists Phillips’ NBA comparison as Gerald Wallace.
Phillips spent one season at Tennessee, appearing in 32 games and playing 24.1 minutes per contest. He averaged 8.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game on 41.1 percent shooting from the field and 23.9 percent shooting from behind the three-point line.
Drafting Phillips gives the Bulls a nice young prospect to work with moving forward, but he doesn’t address some of their other major needs.
The Bulls filled their need for youth, but more work is needed.
They will still need to add a starting-caliber point guard and three-point shooting to their roster this summer. But for all those hoping for the Bulls to trade into the draft, the calls were answered.