Early Look at Potential 2015 NBA Draft Options for the Chicago Bulls

With a number of different possibilities, the Chicago Bulls could follow up their 2014 draft with another big night in 2015.

The Bulls were active last summer, trading the No. 16 and No. 19 picks to the Denver Nuggets for National College Player of the Year Doug McDermott, the 11th overall pick. Chicago could recreate some of that same magic if all the chips fall in place.

When the Bulls traded Luol Deng to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 7, 2014, the Cavs gave Chicago the Sacramento Kings' top-10-protected selection and the right to swap picks.

So, who will the Bulls look at?

They could start at point guard. Kirk Hinrich's offense is exponentially declining, and Aaron Brooks could be another one-year rental like Nate Robinson and D.J. Augustin before him.

Chicago could also consider a few wings. Mike Dunleavy and Jimmy Butler's contracts are up after this year, and the latter will be a tough re-sign as he's likely to command a max deal, leaving Doug McDermott and Tony Snell as the replacements. The former has had little to no experience this year, and Snell has had an up-and-down career so far.

If the Bulls lose their guys on expiring deals, there could be some minutes for this year's draftees as the wing position will be fairly thin.

There is potential for a big move, so we'll look at some different scenarios, starting with the least likely and then moving to more realistic territory.

Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Kentucky

Season Averages: 9.1 PPG, 51.3% FG, 6.5 RPG, 2.3 BPG

Kentucky's standout center is a projected top-five pick, so the Bulls will have to get lucky as well as prepare to trade one of their players.

If Chicago gets the Kings' pick, it can package that with its own selection and perhaps someone like Taj Gibson to try and trade into the top five. It's a stretch seeing as how Gibson is already 30, so maybe the Bulls throw in a future pick with some protections if they really want to move up.

Towns is a physical force at 6'11" and 250 pounds. He's averaging 2.3 blocks per game in just 20 minutes of action, and he's a fierce offensive rebounder as well with 2.3 a night, a skill all of Chicago's bigs possess.

His offensive game could use some polishing, but he's flashed a mid-range jumper and already has a soft touch around the rim. His energy is endless, he runs the floor well and he is engaged on both ends of the floor.

Towns could turn into Tyson Chandler with a better offense. He has a defensive rating of 74.4 and is averaging 17.8 points per 40 minutes, per Sports-Reference.com. At just 18 years old, Towns could be a candidate to replace Pau Gasol in 2016 once his deal is up.

It's a long shot since the Bulls have championship aspirations over the next couple of years, and making a run at Towns would require them to move an established cog for a project. Convincing a team would be hard, too, but there's still a chance—albeit a small one.

Justise Winslow, G-F, Duke

Season Averages: 11.3 PPG, 36.4% 3PT, 5.3 RPG

Trading into the top five will prove very difficult for Chicago, but the Kings' lottery selection is still up for grabs. Sacramento is currently at the sixth spot in the draft based on standings, but only 2.5 games separate them from 12th place.

Duke guard Justise Winslow could be the Bulls' guy if they get the 11th or 12th pick.

A two-way guard, Winslow has Jimmy Butler potential. At 6'6", 229 pounds, Winslow already has a good frame to defend multiple positions in the NBA despite only being 18. Coupled with his athleticism and a 6'10" wingspan, the freshman guard could turn into a solid perimeter stopper.

That same natural ability could make him a great scorer as well. His 36.4 percent rate from downtown isn't bad, but improving it would open up driving lanes for him to attack the rim—his strength—where he finishes at a solid 61.3 percent.

Chicago will have to hope the Kings turn their season around and move down in the draft if it wants a shot at Winslow. If Sacramento's pick is out of the picture, though, there are still a few players with a lot of upside who could land in the late teens and early 20s.

Caris LeVert, G, Michigan

Season Averages: 14.9 PPG, 40.5% 3PT, 4.9 RPG, 3.7 APG

Caris LeVert's junior year was cut short after suffering a fracture in his left foot after just 17 games.

Chicago has constantly dealt with injuries over the past few years, so there could be some reservations about LeVert if his injury turns out to have some long-term effects. Regardless, the 20-year-old prospect has a lot of potential.

LeVert has great size at 6'7", but he'll have to bulk up for the NBA. At just 200 pounds, big 2-guards and small forwards will be able push him around on each end of the floor.

However, his height allows for lineup versatility. He has the skill set to play both backcourt positions and even some 3 in smaller lineups. He can create for others but can also function as a catch-and-shoot guy, as 68.8 percent of his three-pointers are assisted.

He's able to attack defenders off the dribble as well, and his length helps him around the rim, where he converts 75.7 percent of his attempts. He continued his reliable outside shooting as a junior, knocking down 40 percent of his three-pointers for the second consecutive year.

LeVert's foot will be a topic of conversation going forward and could potentially hurt his stock if it turns out to be a chronic problem. Predraft evaluations could determine his value, but if he can fully heal, he could turn into a solid rotation guy in a year or two.

Jerian Grant, G, Notre Dame

Season Averages: 17 PPG, 50% FG, 6.2 APG, 1.8 SPG

Chicago loves drafting players with experience, so Notre Dame's Jerian Grant might be right up its alley. The senior guard is quickly rising through the ranks as one of the top collegiate players for the 2014-15 season.

There's a bit of Jamal Crawford in his game in the way he tries to break down defenders. In the last play shown above, Grant sizes up the opponent a few feet from the three-point line, and although he loses control of the ball, he's not afraid of the big stage.

Grant ends up making a ridiculous circus shot, but he's a go-to guy, and the Bulls could use another player like that out on the perimeter.

Even though the 22-year-old lacks elite-level burst, he excels near the rim, converting 76 percent of his attempts at the basket. He can shoot off the dribble as well, which is how most of his three-pointers come, as only 32.5 percent are assisted.

It's mostly Grant's smart playmaking that really makes him stand out. He's effective in pick-and-roll sets and possesses great point guard instincts, always aware of where the open man is.

At 6'5", Grant stands out physically as well. He can work from both guard spots, and his length allows him to defend both positions effectively. He will have to bulk up, though, as 204 pounds won't cut it against a lot of NBA 2-guards.

There's a good chance Grant's stock continues to rise as the season progresses and once the March Madness tournament tips off. He should be available in the late teens or early 20s, though, right where Chicago is slated to wind up.

Justin Anderson, G-F, Virginia

Season Averages: 13.4 PPG, 48.4% 3PT, 4.3 RPG

Spot-up shooters are able to flourish in Chicago's system. With Derrick Rose and Pau Gasol attracting double-teams, players parked on the wings get open looks consistently.

Junior guard Justin Anderson can fill that role and then some.

Anderson has evolved into a deadly three-point shooter, knocking down 48.4 percent of his attempts behind the arc after connecting on just 30 percent of his long-range shots his previous two seasons.

The Virginia swingman is also an incredible athlete who can take defenders off the dribble and finish above the rim. While there are questions about his ball-handling and his ability to create for others, he seems to function better as a pure scorer anyway.

At 6'6", 225 pounds, Anderson also boasts a 6'11" wingspan, giving him tons of defensive upside, which he showed against Duke guard Winslow in the earlier video. He can also defend multiple positions thanks to his athleticism, which Tom Thibodeau would certainly love.

Like LeVert, Anderson recently suffered an injury, although he could return in time for March Madness and there are no long-term concerns according to head coach Tony Bennett, per ESPN.com's Dana O’Neil.

The 21-year-old swingman made some strides this season, becoming the second-leading scorer on the team prior to his injury. His offensive improvement increased his stock, and if the Bulls end up with a selection in their projected range, Anderson could be a great fit.

Player information gathered from DraftExpress.com. Stats courtesy of Hoop-Math.com and accurate as of Feb. 10.