Nothing Certain - Not Even Deng

In less than 24 hours, we'll know what the Bulls have done for the 2012 NBA Draft.  Will they keep their lone pick and hope things work out that way next season?  Will they trade Luol Deng to get higher on the board?  Will something below the radar unfold?  In any case, there are a lot of questions surrounding tomorrow night and whatever happens will most certainly be debated.

What appears to be the final mock draft on NBADraft.net has the Bulls using the 29th pick to take Baylor freshman Quincy Miller, who's 6-10, but listed as small forward.  That's what Jimmy Butler plays.  But with so much uncertainty surrounding this year's class after Anthony Davis, you could really throw darts at potential late first-rounders/early second-rounders and pick whatever they hit.  Will Barton of Memphis has reportedly worked out with the Bulls a couple of times, but his draft stock might be rising, making people question if he'll still be available that late.  Without a second-round pick to look forward to, the Bulls get only one shot at a player who, at least for the near future, will be nothing more than a role player on a championship contender.  I'm glad I'm not Gar Foreman because I might be losing sleep tonight over all this pressure otherwise.

As for Deng, the Bulls reportedly told him he will not be traded.  Don't be so sure about that however.  In addition to Deng stating he wouldn't be surprised if he got shipped, tensions ran a bit high during his final meeting with the team before taking off for the British national team.  Personnel would still rather he skip the Olympics and get his wrist worked on, but everyone who follows this team knows that's not happening.  Deng has shown no signs of changing his mind and he apparently has a cult following in his country.  From what I understand, he's been printed on currency, so to not participate in these games would be a disgrace.  Yes, he's a Bulls player professionally, but he's a Brit at heart, especially after they sheltered his family after fleeing war-torn Sudan.  If the Bulls trade him, it'd better be in order to improve the club, not over a stupid issue like this.  Just look at that smile in the above picture.  You really want to deny him this opportunity?  Smooth.

The Bulls need to do something to stay competitive in the East until Derrick Rose heals and Deng recovers from surgery (if he chooses to get it after the Olympics).  Tomorrow night's pick won't be the final piece needed to get over the hump, but let's hope whoever it is will play a viable part in the future of this club.  Good luck, Gar and John.