NBA Mock Draft Series: Chicago Bulls

It's almost that time again, where all 30 NBA teams select a player(s) in the NBA Draft in hopes of turning their franchise around.

Going off an idea originated by my Bleacher Report colleague Sean Crowe, I will do a separate Mock Draft for all 30 teams.

Now that the NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, we now know which teams will have a lottery picks.

Despite a 1.7 percent chance of winning, the Bulls will have the No. 1 overall pick during the June 26th draft.

The Chicago Bulls were a big disappointment in the Eastern Conference this season after going 33-49, and will have the No. 1 pick in this year's draft.

The Bulls still have some work to do in the coaching department after firing Scott Skiles and interim coach Jim Boylan.  But the top pick in the draft is always a good thing.

"We'll have an opportunity to get close to those guys. We'll really take a long look at what makes the most sense for our basketball team. Having the pick puts you in a unique position to make your team better. I certainly understand this was pure luck. Now it's our job to make the most of it".--John Paxson

Being that Chicago already has a solid point guard in Kirk Hinrich, the top pick in the draft could be an easy one. 

But the decision will still be a hard one, as they have to decide whether to go with the top two prospect Michael Beasley and Derrick Rose.

Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas are good low-post presences on the defensive end, but what the Bulls have lacked the last few seasons is a reliable scorer in the post. 

So with that being said, I think you know what player will be picked by now.

With the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select Michael Beasley out of Kansas State.

Beasley could potentially be the go-to guy Chicago hasn't had the last few years.  While his ability to score from the perimeter will be important, his ability to score in the post is what the Bulls really need from him.

He had a phenomenal freshman season at Kansas State, averaging  26.2 PPG along with 12.4 RPG.  He is quick and strong in the post, and has great body control.

Not only is he a good basket to back scorer, but he also can also face the basket and even has three point range.

Beasley will be a good fit for this team alongside Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, Larry Hughes, Noah, Thomas and Drew Gooden.

With Beasley in a Bulls' uniform, Chicago has all the pieces to become contenders in the Eastern Conference.  Anything less than 40+ wins for the Bulls next season could be a failure.

Michael Whittenberg is an NBA Community Leader at BleacherReport.com