Should Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley Have Switched Spots in the NBA Draft?

A month after the 2008 draft, the exhibition games are over, the Summer League's over, and the offseason is coming to an end.

Now we turn our heads back and realize—maybe Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley should have swapped places in the draft.  That would have helped both of them gain a more appropriate role, and also helped their teams fill an empty hole that they had been searching for over a long period of time.

Of course, each of them being drafted in this particular order is nothing wrong.  It may do both teams some good—but I believe that if they were to switch positions on the draft board, more good may be done.

Derrick Rose, a 6'3", 196-pound point guard from Memphis, is a Chicago boy.  His athleticism, potential, and decision-making skills are undeniable.  In fact, his game is so versatile it is compared to the likes of future Hall-of-Famer Jason Kidd.  His ability to attack the rim is as good as any point guard in the league, if not better.  Add in his defensive abilities, and he sounds like a dream PG for any team.

Michael Beasley, on the other hand, is a 6'8", 239-pound forward.  After a stellar year with Kansas State, Beasley arrives on the grand stage.  He is a reliable post player, good shooter, and a terrific rebounder.  His defense may be questioned, but his potential is very high.  Size may be a problem, but he is a solid big man.  Sounds like a good player to draft for a team that needs a big man.

So the Chicago Bulls, who fought against the slightest chance of winning the first overall pick, goes first, while the rebuilding Miami Heat looks to draft second.

And the Chicago Bulls decided to draft their hometown star.

At first look, it makes sense, right?  He's a Chicago native, he's the best player out of the draft pool—what better player could they have asked for?

How about Michael Beasley?

Beasley would have been the best choice for the Bulls, for a number of different reasons.

First of all, he is a legitimate big man, a reliable post player who is willing to clean up the glass as well.  When required, he can shoot the outside jump shot to spread the floor for the post players—Joakim Noah, Drew Gooden, and perhaps even Tyrus Thomas.

By taking Beasley, the Bulls would have solved their biggest problem for years—the lack of a solid big man.  But instead, with the addition of Rose, not only have the Bulls deepened their roster with star guards, but it also adds a new problem to the organization.

Kirk Hinrich vs Derrick Rose.

Who gets the starting job?  Should Hinrich be traded? Should Hinrich play SG? If so, where does Ben Gordon go?  Back to the bench, like he did before?  Then does Larry Hughes need to go somewhere too?  

Would Gordon not re-sign with the Bulls if that happens?  If Gordon goes, would Luol Deng go too?  If two star players leave, would Kirk Hinrich or Derrick Rose want to go?

On and on and on...

With the addition of Derrick Rose, the Bulls do get a highly prestigious point guard—but what they face now is a list of big problems.

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