The 20th pick belongs to the Chicago Bulls.  Their net GM is:

   Andy Knipp .

Andy selects:

   Travis Best, PG, 5-11.  Georgia Tech

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Overview
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The [former] World Champion Chicago Bulls have just completed a turbulent 
season. With the unretiremnet of Michael Jordan, the immeadiate future 
of the Bulls looks pretty good.  However,  there are some areas of 
concern.


Team Depth:
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Here is a breakdown by position:

Center:

The 3 headed monster (of BWG's) of Will Perdue, Luc Longley, and Bill
Wennington was a decent center combination.  If the opportunity to 
select a future NBA center presents itself,  then that will happen. 
However, quality centers at the 20th pick just aren't there.  I left
Will Perdue unprotected (and was picked up) in the expansion draft.
Perdues had a fine year,  though his contract is rather high & I thought,
dollar for dollar, Wennington was a better value. 


Power Forward:

Toni Kukoc has been starting at power forward. However,  he is a 
SF and the only way to get playing time was to play PF.  

Larry Krystoviack was a bust as a free agent. He has another year on
his contract, however, it can be (& likely will) bought out for $300K.

This leaves Dickie Simpkins & Cory Blount to get the remaining PF playing
time.  Look for a free agent or trade to bolster the PF ranks.

 
Small Forward:

Scottie Pippen had a fine year, though he seems to be disenchanted 
in Chicago.  Look for a blockbuster trade involving Pippen.  Discussions
with the Clippers, involving Scottie & the 2nd pick of the draft, have
taken place.  I would expect, if the Clips are interested, Scottie Pippen
for the #2 pick plus a good young SF/SG (Sealy or Piatkowski).  
Maybe they will take Ron Harper back too.  :-)


Toni Kukoc has become a real NBA player.  His defense in his second 
year improved considerably.  Kukoc has found a nice touch from the 
outside & still possesses great passing skills.  If a trade for Pippen
happened, Kukoc would be able to play SF,  his natural position.  

Ron Harper is the backup. He is too expensive to cut or trade.  I
guess we are stuck with him.  Jud Buechler is another backup. He is
an UFA,  however I don't expect a lot of interest in him.  The Bulls
should get him back next year & he can play an important role.

Shooting Guard:

MJ will return & it will be interesting to see how he plays for a 
complete season.  He showed flashes of his old self and other times 
looked like a mear mortal.  When he has his game together,  there is no 
better player that Michael Jordan.

Pete Meyers is the current backup  SG & may be back next year.
He is a tough defender & is rather quick.  However,  Pete does not 
shoot well or often.   Steve Kerr played well this season and has a 
contract for next year.

Point Guard:

BJ Armstrong is the only true PG on the roster.  With players like
Pippen, Kukoc, and Jordan,  a ball handling PG is not a necessity. 
The PGs for the Bulls will hang out by the 3 point are & catch a 
pass when someone pentrates. Then the PG must hit the open shot. 
BJ was good at this, as was Steve Kerr. 

Needs:
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The Bulls will take the best available athlete.  But all things being 
equal,  they will take a shooting guard.  With the 20th selection in the 
draft,  they are probably not going to get an immediate impact player,
so they will take the best athlete & go for depth.  

My selection:
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Travis Best, PG, 5-11, Georgia Tech

Travis Best is the playmaker the Bulls need. He has the ability
to move the ball & can hit the open jumper.  The Bulls do not use
traditional point guards, however, if Pippen is traded, ball handling
skills are required.  Best can do that. 

Looking over the list of who was available,  I was hoping for Rashard Griffith
or Gary Trent.  Neither of these guys will be close when the Bulls pick,  but 
it almost happened. 


Others Considered:
------------------

The PFs have been picked over very heavily,  so I was looking at several
other players.  One's I considered include Travis Best, Sherell Ford, Greg
Ostertag, Lou Roe & James Forrest.  I really like Tom Klienschmidt from
DePaul,  but that would be a big reach at this pick.  I could see picking up 
an early #2 & drafting him.

 
Other Moves:
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Signing a FA will be required.  If the Bulls can get out of either
Harper's or Perdue's contract, they should have room under the cap to
pickup a reasonable FA.  Scoot Skiles is one that I would like to 
have signed.  Being a FA PG,  he fits into the Bulls needs easily.
A FA PF would also be considered.  

Trading Scottie Pippen is a strong consideration.  Pippen is the 5th
highes salary on the Bulls,  so he is underpaid (& feels underappreciated). 
However,  since his salary is that low,  it would be hard to find 
comparable worth that can fit into his spot in the salary cap. 

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