Bulls SLAP at second round of NBA Draft, making a pair of trades - Chicago Sun-Times

Bryson Graham will continue hunting down outside shooting, still holding out hope that players like Patrick Williams can get back to being more efficient from long range. Either way, Graham has time and money on his side in the wake of Wednesday’s second round of the draft. SHARE COPY LINK Share It was the running joke around the Advocate Center after the first round of the NBA Draft on Tuesday. Executive vice president of basketball operations Bryson Graham’s SLAP (size, length, athleticism, physicality) acronym seemed as though it was missing an S, as in shooting. Of the Bulls with guaranteed contracts, forward Jalen Smith posted the highest three-point percentage this past season at 37.3%. Guard Josh Giddey was at 36.4%, forward Matas Buzelis at 34.9% and forward Patrick Williams at 34.7%. No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson shot 25.9% from three in his one season at North Carolina, and No. 15 overall pick Dailyn Swain was at 34.4% with Texas. Graham didn’t hide from those numbers when discussing the two newest members of the roster. ‘‘Shooting, obviously, is a skill that can improve,’’ Graham said. ‘‘ mechanics are sound. Both shots are compact. I see guys that can develop. Some history behind some of the guys that were taken in my previous draft history are guys that improved their shooting over the years. When you check a ton of other boxes — defending, playmaking, advantage-creating — maybe shooting is somewhat of a weakness at the moment, but it doesn’t deter me from taking you. ‘‘The mentality, the work rate, the variety of skills is really important. So I think those guys might be a little . . . you know, no one’s perfect. Those guys fit the type of guys we want to bring into this building.’’ That’s why Graham also wasn’t looking to chase game-changing shooters in the second round Wednesday. With the eighth pick of the second round (No. 38 overall), the Bulls selected Purdue guard Braden Smith and promptly traded him to the Pacers for 6-4 left-handed guard Kam Jones, a future swapping of second-round picks and cash considerations. While Jones shot 40.6% from three-point range in his junior season at Marquette, he shot only 29.3% from long range as a rookie with the Pacers. As for their second pick in the second round (No. 56 overall), the Bulls traded that to the Lakers for cash considerations. In Graham’s estimation, however, the crop of players he collected in the last few days will be the foundation of the Bulls’ rebuild and more shooting will come. Even when the three-way deal for center Nic Claxton is made official July 6, Graham still will have $31 million in salary-cap space to spend this offseason. And three-point marksmen such as the Thunder’s Isaiah Joe (42.3%) are on the trade block for opposing teams to pursue. That’s the can the Bulls are kicking down the road. Their top priority is making sure this group understands how important defense and physicality will be. ‘‘ going to be the calling card for our team to begin with,’’ Graham said. ‘‘Coach has really, really put an emphasis on that as we’ve talked. Being a rookie, you’ve gotta earn your keep. The fastest way to earn playing time and opportunity is on the defensive side of the ball. As Dailyn comes in and Caleb comes in, I’m looking for them to be tone-setters on that side of the floor and be pillars for this organization going forward.’’ It was a message Wilson heard loud and clear, but he also talked about what he thinks are the extra intangibles he will bring. ‘‘Bryson, of course, told me the SLAP thing,’’ Wilson said of the conversations that already have taken place since he was selected. ‘‘But he also said stuff about having great guys and a great locker room and team chemistry, and that’s something I’m always going to be able to give a franchise. ‘‘My ability to get to the rim off self-creation, be able to come off ball screens and dribble handoffs, create. I feel I’m a great passer and feel I can create plays for many others without shooting.’’ As an added bonus, Wilson also does his homework. Leading up to draft, Wilson reached out to former Bulls guard and fellow North Carolina alum Coby White to get a feel about what the fan base and city are about. The intel sounded on point. ‘‘Excited, grateful,’’ Wilson said. ‘‘Chicago is a great city. I heard it gets really cold, so I’ll get me some puffer jackets and wear me some long johns or something like that to get ready for the weather. But I’m just excited for the opportunity.’’ A puffer jacket works. Picking up an outside jumper along the way wouldn’t hurt, either. SHARE COPY LINK Share Joe Cowley Chicago Sun-TimesChicago Bulls reporter