Bryson Graham isn't going to sit back and let the chips fall.
The Washington Wizards have spent the past three seasons with either the NBA's worst or second-worst record. As made evident by the team's midseason trades for Trae Young and Anthony Davis, the franchise is tired of rebuilding and ready to contend for a playoff berth. The No. 1 overall pick in next month's draft will go a long way in helping the Wizards achieve that goal.
It's because of these factors that I do not expect Washington to deal its first No. 1 pick since selecting John Wall in 2010, no matter how badly the Utah Jazz want BYU's AJ Dybantsa. The Chicago Bulls reportedly reached out to the Wizards regarding the first overall draft choice, but if Washington doesn't believe Utah's trade package is sufficient enough to move down, there's no chance that Chicago's offer will even be considered.
Still, it's worth the shot in the dark to make that trade offer, and it sets the tone for Bryson Graham's tenure as the Bulls' lead executive.
What Could the Bulls Offer to Move Up?
Chicago has two first-round picks in this year's draft, and they would certainly need to sacrifice No. 15 overall to move up from No. 4 to No. 1. The Bulls would also probably need to give up next year's first-round pick, which seems unlikely, given the team is entering a rebuild and is starved of young talent.
Washington is in the market for a superstar, not long-term asset accumulation. That means that the player the Wizards get in return must have both the ability to fit on their current roster and the potential to lead the team as its best player for years to come.
Trading down with the Jazz, the Wizards would still land a player like Kansas' Darryn Peterson and possibly sophomore wing Ace Bailey. That's a solid deal to move down one spot for a player that Washington could desire over Dybantsa at No. 1 overall anyway.
The Bucks are also an option, in which Giannis Antetokounmpo would come to D.C. and fully enter the Wizards into a win-now push. Chicago doesn't have an asset that comes close to what either of those two teams can offer, unless Matas Buzelis is on the table.
Presumptive No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson could end up being a great player in the NBA, but his floor is also significantly lower than Dybantsa's. The Wizards would need a significant package with the opportunity for Day 1 results to pass up on drafting Dybantsa.
What the Trade Offer Says About Bryson Graham
The Bulls' new executive vice president of basketball operations has emphasized a deliberate approach to rebuilding, repeating that he does not intend to skip steps. However, the fact that Graham checked in on the No. 1 overall pick — even without a realistic chance of landing it — shows how he plans to be aggressive at the helm.
Gone are the days of Chicago going three years without making a trade, like the franchise did under Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley. Between Buzelis, two top-15 draft picks, a boatload of cap space to take on bad contracts and a new front office, the Bulls' future is bright.
