Chicago Bulls Mock Draft: Can Ben Gordon be Replaced?

It was a bittersweet ending to the NBA season for the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night, as they fell to the Boston Celtics in game seven of their most memorable series.  It was bitter in the fact that the beloved Bulls were unable to dethrone the reigning NBA champions, but it was sweet in that they took the series to seven games, and have played like a legitimate NBA contender since the All-Star break.

Led by the NBA Rookie of the Year, Derrick Rose, the Bulls will return in 2009 with many familiar faces.  The only prominent player not expected to return is shooting guard Ben Gordon, who proved in the Bulls' late season run that he is an extremely important asset.  If Gordon decides to leave Chicago, then the Bulls will have a huge hole to fill.

The Bulls will use their two first round picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.  Here is my first look at who the team could pick.

Patrick Patterson; Power Forward, Kentucky, 6'8"—245 lbs

Patterson entered the draft without hiring an agent this offseason, so there is no guarantee that his name will still be in the pool of players. For now, we will assume that he is.  In two years at Kentucky, Patterson averaged nearly 17 points and eight rebounds per contest. 

According to ESPN.com, Patterson is a "long, athletic big man with prototypical NBA body and strength.  He is an explosive leaper, excellent shot-blocker, excellent rebounder, and he is a strong finisher around the rim.  His jump shot has a range of about 15 feet, and he plays physical in the paint." 

The Bulls got great late season production out of their current frontcourt youngsters, Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas, but both are more defensive specialists.  Thomas is coming into his own as an offensive player, especially with his newfound jump shot.  Still, aside from the aging Brad Miller, the Bulls lack a true low post scorer, and Patterson could be that guy. 

Wayne Ellington; Shooting Guard, North Carolina

I have gotten many chances to observe Ellington over the last three years, and I can say with some confidence that if Ben Gordon were to leave Chicago, then Ellington could handle the position. 

Ellington is a great three-point shooting guard, who has recently developed an ability to slash in the lane and finish in much the same way that Gordon does—with crazy, hold-your-breath types of shots.  Ellington's has a good chance of becoming successful in the NBA due to the fact that he is great on the catch-and-shoot. He has also developed more than just an outside game.