The Bulls are hoping for a miracle in the NBA Draft Lottery, but even if they don’t move up, they’ll get a good piece. According to CBS Sports’ latest mock draft, the Bulls will take Collin Murray-Boyles, a 19-year-old power forward from South Carolina, with the 12th pick. This young SEC star has shown flashes, but how will he fit in with the current roster? Let’s break it down.
Who Is Collin Murray-Boyles?
Collin Murray-Boyles has been making waves at South Carolina for the last two years. The 6-foot-7 power forward saw a big jump in production between his freshman and sophomore years, averaging 16.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists per game on 58.6% shooting in his second season.
A Columbia, South Carolina native, Murray-Boyles stayed home for college and is now ready to make the jump to the NBA. His athleticism, rebounding, and interior play have scouts interested, even if his skillset is still raw.
Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports thinks the Bulls would be a good fit:
“Murray-Boyles is long, strong, very smart and impactful on both ends of the floor, even if he’s more of an undersized five who can’t space the floor,” Finkelstein writes. “With Nikola Vucevic in a contract year and big potential shooters like Jalen Smith and Matas Buzelis at the forward/wing spots, this could work.”
Why Murray-Boyles Could Be a Fit for the Bulls?
Murray-Boyles has several things the Bulls could like as they rebuild:
1. Athleticism and Post Presence
At 19 years old, Murray-Boyles is already a paint force. He’s quick off the dribble, loves to cut to the rim, and can get mismatches on slower defenders. His rebounding (8.3 per game) would be a boost to a Bulls team that was 19th in defensive rebounding last season.
2. Upside Over Immediate Help
If the Bulls stay at 12, they’ll need to prioritize long term over short term. Murray-Boyles fits that bill. He may not contribute right away, but his physical tools and basketball IQ says he could be a starter or rotation player down the line.
3. Complementary Skills
With Matas Buzelis and Jalen Smith bringing perimeter shooting and versatility, Murray-Boyles’ traditional big man skills would complement the Bulls’ young core. He can score around the basket and defend multiple positions, which adds depth to a frontcourt that will lose Nikola Vucevic in free agency.
Why Murray-Boyles Might Not Be the Best Fit?
He said so, but there are real concerns about how Murray-Boyles fits with the current roster.
1. No Shooting
Murray-Boyles has no outside shot. In today’s NBA, where spacing is key, that’s a major problem.
2. Size
At 6-7, Murray-Boyles is undersized for a power forward in the NBA. Can he hold his own against bigger, stronger opponents? His game overlaps with other players on the Bulls roster, not in a good way.
3. Work in Progress
Murray-Boyles has a lot of upside, but he’s far from a finished product. The Bulls wouldn’t see an immediate return on their investment, which would drive fans crazy for playoff basketball.
What’s Next for the Bulls?
If the Bulls get the 12th pick, drafting Murray-Boyles would be a sign of patience and development. But with Nikola Vucevic in the final year of his contract and the team still needing proven players, is that the direction they want to go?
For now, we wait for the draft lottery. If they hit the jackpot, they might be able to get a higher upside player or trade up for a proven player. But if they stay put, Collin Murray-Boyles is a gamble worth taking—a young athletic big man who can grow into a cornerstone.
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