NBA Mock Draft leading up to the Knicks selecting 8th overall

4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija, G/F, Maccabi Tel Aviv

After moving up from seventh in the pre-lottery order to fourth, the Bulls are in desparate need of hitting a home run in this draft to stabilize what has become a messy situation in Chicago.

Former coach Jim Boylen has been fired after two dismal seasons, so a new coach will need to be put in place, but perhaps the most important decision for the revamped front office is who they will select fourth overall.

The Bulls have extensions decisions to make on Zach LaVine and stretch four Lauri Markkanen. Both have been mentioned in trade rumors, including to the Knicks. It’s possible Chicago’s roster looks a lot different than it did last year if the front office decides to blow things up.

Enter Deni Avdija, who would give the organization a playmaker who can fit on the floor with just about anybody they want to put around him. While the Israeli youngster plays as a forward due to his size, his ballhandling and creativity allows him to play like a guard.

Avdija is most effective as a scorer spotting up or in transition, so if he’s not creating for his teammates, he doesn’t necessarily need the ball in his hands to find his offense. He is a good fit for a Bulls roster in turmoil.