By winning the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery, despite a 1.7% chance, the Bulls have primed themselves to greatly improve a team that was expected to finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference.  Not since an underachieving Spurs team won on a lucky bounce has the lottery been so kind to a team that already had the talent to be competitive.

The debate is whether the Bulls should draft stud PF Michael Beasley, or stud PG Derrick Rose.  With Kirk Hinrich, need seems to indicate that the Bulls should pick Beasley.  Not so fast.

Option #1: Draft Michael Beasley

The Bulls have a better than average PG, some SGs, a young small forward who many believe is destined for stardom.  They have a veteran PF, a young PF and a young defensive minded center.  The one thing I did not here me mention is a low post scorer.  Beasley fills that need in a big way as most experts believe he would be a 20 and 10 guy in the league.   He provides a loaded offensive arsenal, great post play, a nice jumper extending almost out to NBA three point range, and elite athleticism.  A no brainer right?

If the Bulls draft Beasley, they're looking at:

1- Hinrich/Duhon
2- Hughes/Gordon
3- Deng/Nocioni
4- Beasley/Thomas/Gooden
5- Noah/Gooden

That is as impressive a depth chart as you are going to get in this league.  Consider the ages of the player and it becomes even more impressive with Deng and Beasley still being wet behind the ears.  With this pick, you can guarantee you'll be one of the deepest teams in the league.

To make this pick however, the Bulls have to be confident that they can be successful with Deng or Beasley as a number one offensive option and they have to be sold on Hinrich as a true point guard who can run the offense. 

In all likelyhood, Gooden/Thomas and likely Gordon will be jettisoned shortly after drafting Beasley.  Could they land a top flight point guard or shooting guard in exchange for that combo?  Unlikely considering what elite PGs have done this postseason.  However, considering the buzz around Michael Redd the Bulls should be able to put together a package that could land him.  Maybe a pick two from Gordon, Gooden, Nocioni OR Deng?


Which leads us to:

Option #2: Draft Derrick Rose

Since his NCAA tournament performance alot of people have been pointing to Rose as the best player in this draft.  However, he doesn't really address the Bulls' need for a low post stud which they've been missing since Brand was traded to the Clippers.  Does drafting Rose make the Bulls that much better?  I would say definitely yes if you look at what players become expendable by making this pick.

Consider that the Nuggets are rumored to be willing to let go of Carmelo AND Camby to the Nets for Richard Jefferson, Marcus Williams, and picks, could the right offer pry him away?  If you're the Nuggets and you've really considered cutting ties with a 24 year old superstar, isn't Deng and Hinrich more enticing than Jefferson and Williams, considering that you get to keep Camby?  The Bulls could afford to throw in Gooden or Thomas with such a deal if the Nuggets insist on more compensation.  The Bulls would then be looking at:

1- Rose/Duhon
2- Hughes/Gordon
3- Anthony/Nocioni
4- Gooden/Thomas
5- Noah

With Rose and Anthony both younger than 25 you've got two players you can build around for the next 7-10 years.  Anthony is a big upgrade over Deng as at least we know Anthony is definitely a franchise player, whereas the jury is still out on Deng.  Rose is an upgrade on both sides of the ball from Hinrich and he's an unselfish playmaker while many seem to think Hinrich is an Iverson/Arenas type at the PG position.  They would still be short a low post scorer, but Anthony's versatility and ability to force a double team almost anywhere on the court reduces this need greatly.

Top to bottom, drafting Beasley would result in a better all-around roster, however, drafting Rose and acquiring a player of Anthony's caliber could give the Bulls one of the best one two combos in the league. (not to mention two players who's styles mesh well together unlike Iverson/Melo)

If Melo is not available, Richard Jefferson, Elton Brand, Michael Redd and Jermaine O'Neal can still be had for the right price.  Considering their lack of frontcourt depth, the Bulls could very likely put together a package for Jefferson without including Deng.  1,2,3 of Rose, Redd, and Deng would be also be formidable.

Regardless of who the Bulls pick, they're going to be presented with tons of options to unload some of their young talent.  Smart decision making has change the fortunes of many NBA teams.  But good old fashioned luck doesn't hurt either.