Bulls Better Off Picking Beasley

The chances of the Chicago Bulls having the low-post scorer they desperately need falling into their laps were almost as slim as...their chances of winning the 2008 NBA Draft Lottery.

Lady Luck decided to smile on the team that Jordan built, and if Chicago brass is smart, they'll do what she intended them to do: draft Michael Beasley.

There are those within the Windy City who would prefer the home-grown variety of superstar in Memphis' Derrick Rose.

Not drafting Rose shouldn't be taken as a knock on the superbly talented point guard. It's just that Chicago doesn't need a point guard.  They've got a pretty decent one in Kirk Hinrich, and a solid backup in Chris Duhon.

If the Bulls draft Rose, trading Duhon will demote Hinrich to the position of a $57 million dollar-backup. Trading Hinrich would be difficult due to his new contract and the fact he's coming off a down year; probably the worst combination for a player that a team is thinking of shipping.

It's important to remember that Hinrich was a point guard on Team USA Basketball not too long ago. He actually did a solid job. It's possible that the less-than-stellar atmosphere over the team last season affected his play.

For all the reasons that drafting Rose isn't the right thing for Chicago, there are probably twice as many reasons they should choose Beasley. It's been a broken record for the last three seasons (or, since Eddy Curry was traded to New York) that Chicago is in severe need of low-post scoring. Beasley would solve that - and then some.

Unlike last year's double-double draftee Kevin Durant, Beasley actually has a low-post body. His rebounding numbers come not just from athleticism, but from effort and physique as well.

The Bulls don't have any of what Beasley would bring to the table right now.  Unless Ben Gordon (one of the top five streak-shooters in the game today) is on, the Bulls really don't know where their points are coming from.

With Beasley aboard, they would.

The effect would filter to the rest of the team. Gordon wouldn't feel the pressure of knowing his stroke isn't the live-or-die pulse of his team's offense. Luol Deng can settle into a seemingly made-for-him secondary role on the team. 

Some guys just have that combination of talent and hunger that makes them a franchise player. Deng isn't one of them. Beasley is. Yet another thing Chicago doesn't have, but could if they pick him in June.