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Who will the Chicago Bulls select with the No. 18 pick in the NBA draft? Here are 5 options.

It’s nearly time for the NBA draft and the Chicago Bulls are positioned to build on last season’s playoff appearance with the No. 18 pick.The draft has been a critical building block for the Bulls, whose recent selections of Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams created a new young core. So who will join the group alongside DeMar DeRozan and company?AdvertisementExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 12An emotional Ayo Dosunmu celebrates Thursday during a watch party at Bracket Room in Chicago after the Bulls selected him with the 38th pick in the NBA draft. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)2021: Ayo Dosunmu (38th overall)2020: Patrick Williams (4th overall) and Marko Simonović (44th overall)2019: Coby White (7th overall) and Daniel Gafford (38th overall)2018: Wendell Carter Jr. (7th overall) and Chandler Hutchison (22nd overall)2017: Justin Patton (16th overall, traded with Jimmy Butler to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Zach LaVine, Kris Dunn and Lauri Markkanen) and Jordan Bell (38th overall, traded to the Golden State Warriors for cash considerations)ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 133Bulls guard Zach LaVine and forward DeMar DeRozan head to their locker room after playing the Bucks at the United Center on April 24, 2022. The Bucks won 119-95 to take a 3-1 lead in their playoff series. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune)The No. 18 pick is slightly lower hanging fruit than the first ten slots in the draft, but it still is a high enough position to select an impact player — or to leverage an effective trade for immediate payoff in the 2022-23 season.Heading into the offseason, executive vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas emphasized the Bulls are focused on keeping Zach LaVine in Chicago and making auxiliary trades to support the current All-Star core. That doesn’t mean a blockbuster trade is completely off the table, but the Bulls would be more likely to package the pick along with a bench player like Coby White to make a meaningful trade.AdvertisementThe Bulls could find depth in this year’s draft, which is steeped with enough talent to make even the lowest first-round picks remain appealing.Duke center Mark Williams (15) celebrates after his team defeated Arkansas in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament in San Francisco, March 26, 2022. (Tony Avelar/AP)Age: 20Position: CenterSchool: DukeHeight: 7-foot-2Weight: 242A powerful center who carves out a presence around the rim, Williams could be an immediate answer for the Bulls after a season desperately lacking size and strength in the paint. The biggest question is whether Williams will even fall this low — he is a hot prospect after recording the longest wingspan at the combine (7-foot-7) and breaking a Duke field goal percentage record (72.1% on over 100 attempts).E.J. Liddell answers reporters’ questions during the NBA draft combine at Wintrust Arena, May 19, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)Age: 21Position: ForwardSchool: Ohio StateHeight: 6-foot-7Weight: 243 poundsA lengthy forward with perimeter shooting range, Liddell could slot in as a role player after three seasons with Ohio State. Liddell’s most important asset for the Bulls would be interior defense, where he can provide shot blocking and size to back up Nikola Vučević.The fact Liddell grew up downstate in Belleville only adds to the Bulls’ recent effort to bring in Illinois talent like Dosunmu.Baylor forward Jeremy Sochan reacts after scoring during the second half against Norfolk State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Fort Worth, Texas, March 17, 2022. (LM Otero/AP)Age: 19Position: ForwardSchool: BaylorHeight: 6-foot-9Weight: 230Another defense-first forward to keep an eye on is Sochan, who made an impact on the Baylor front court during his only NCAA season. Sochan’s stock has been soaring since the combine — during which he named Draymond Green and Jrue Holiday as inspirations — so he might not be available when the Bulls make their pick. But if they can snatch him up, Sochan wouldimmediately impact a defense that needs reinforcement.Santa Clara guard Jalen Williams controls the ball during the second half of a game against Gonzaga, Feb. 19, 2022, in Spokane, Wash. (Young Kwak/AP)Age: 21Position: Guard/ForwardSchool: Santa ClaraHeight: 6-foot-6Weight: 209 poundsIf the Bulls don’t look for size in their draft selection, they could target a wing player with the versatility to slot in behind LaVine. Williams would be an obvious choice — a playmaking guard who averaged 18 points per game on 39.6% 3-point shooting for Santa Clara last season. Although he’s a little undersized, Williams would help the guard rotation.Kansas guard Ochai Agbaji celebrates after beating North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament final, April 4, 2022, in New Orleans. (Brynn Anderson/AP)Age: 22Position: Guard/ForwardSchool: KansasHeight: 6-foot-6Weight: 215 poundsIf the Bulls want to add a versatile guard, look no further than a recent national champion who finished his final season with Kansas as Big 12 Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Tournament. Agbaji is one of the more veteran players coming through the draft, and he consistently improved his shooting (averaging 18.8 points per game last season) and playmaking throughout his four-year career. That growth will need to continue to carve out a place in the NBA, but Agbaji’s versatility and defense on the wing could add a rotational improvement with a high ceiling for the future.

Sports

Chicago Bears announce 2022 training camp schedule — including 11 practices open to the public for free

The Chicago Bears will open training camp July 26 at Halas Hall in preparation for their first season under coach Matt Eberflus. The camp schedule from the team includes 11 public practices that require a free ticket.That doesn’t include the annual Bears Family Fest at Soldier Field, scheduled for Aug. 9 with ticket information to be announced later.AdvertisementTickets for the public practices in Lake Forest will be available at ChicagoBears.com/camp starting July 7 at 10 a.m. There’s a limit of four per date and there won’t be a lottery this year. Free parking will be available at Hawthorn Mall in Vernon Hills with shuttle buses to Halas Hall.[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Bears 2022 schedule: Here’s who they’ll play — and our predictions for each matchup ]“With the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols behind us, we’re looking forward to bringing back the tradition of player and fan interaction,” Bears President and CEO Ted Phillips said in a news release.AdvertisementThe Bears have three preseason games — including one at Soldier Field on Aug. 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs — before opening the 2022 slate on Sept. 11 at home against the San Francisco 49ers.Tuesday, July 26: Players reportWednesday, July 27: Practice, 10 a.m.Thursday, July 28: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Friday, July 29: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Saturday, July 30: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Monday, Aug. 1: Practice, 10 a.m.Tuesday, Aug. 2: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Wednesday, Aug. 3: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Friday, Aug. 5: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Saturday, Aug. 6: Practice, 10 a.m.Sunday, Aug. 7: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Tuesday, Aug. 9: Bears Family Fest at Soldier Field, 10:35 a.m.Wednesday, Aug. 10: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Thursday, Aug. 11: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Saturday, Aug. 13: Kansas City Chiefs at Bears, noon, Soldier FieldMonday, Aug. 15: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Tuesday, Aug. 16: Practice, 10 a.m.Thursday, Aug. 18: Bears at Seattle Seahawks, 7 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 20: Practice, 10 a.m. (open to public)Sunday, Aug. 21: Practice, 10 a.m. (camp breaks)Tuesday, Aug. 23: Practice, 1:30 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 24: Practice, 1:30 p.m.Thursday, Aug. 25: Practice, 12:45 p.m.Saturday, Aug. 27: Bears at Cleveland Browns, 6 p.m.Monday, Aug. 29: Practice, 1:30 p.m.Tuesday, Aug. 30: Practice, 4:30 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 31: Practice, 1:30 p.m.Thursday, Sept. 1: Practice, 12:45 p.m.

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Pravda Records goes the distance

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