How Nicolas Claxton Changes The Bulls' NBA Draft Strategy

Less than 24 hours before one of the biggest nights in Chicago Bulls history, newly-hired Bryson Graham made his first move on the roster side that sets him up for the future.

Late Monday evening, reports leaked that the Minnesota Timberwolves traded Julius Randle and the No. 28 pick to the Brooklyn Nets, and Minnesota would receive pick No. 33. This trade became a three-team trade involving the Chicago Bulls who acquired center Nicolas Claxton from Brooklyn and sending out Mo Geueye's contract.

While Nicolas Claxton may not be the franchise-altering acquisition the Bulls franchise is looking to make on the night of the draft, Bryson Graham's first move essentially sets up what he can do the rest of the summer as he puts together his roster. 

The 27-year old center averaged 11.7 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.7 APG while also getting over a block per-game. With him he also brings a descending contract making $23 million in the upcoming season and then $21 million in the last year of a 4-year deal he signed. 

The real value in the trade however is in the flexibility the move has afforded the Bulls. Bryson Graham is no longer forced to address positional weaknesses when their time comes to pick on Tuesday night. 

In an new era where tanking no longer is beneficial, Graham is able to bring in a serviceable center in Claxton who can help provide a presence on the defensive side and fill an area of need. He has appeared in at least 69 games in each of the last four seasons suggesting new head coach Tiago Splitter will be able to count on having his center healthy when making his lineup on a daily basis. 

The consensus seems to be that either Caleb Wilson or Cameron Boozer will be selected with the No. 4 overall pick on Tuesday night, and the acquisition of Claxton won't affect that. In fact, the rebounding prowess of both of those young players will actually balance out Claxton's lack of rebounding numbers quite well.

The real impact of this trade however comes with pick No. 15. A defensive presence and center was arguably the biggest hole that needed to be addressed during this offseason and Claxton fulfills that need. The Bulls are now afforded the opportunity to take the approach of simply drafting the best player available. 

As the organization transitions into a new era under new leadership, the ideal situation would be to allow the decision-makers to assemble their vision without any provisions.

This is not to suggest that the Bulls may still not take a center in the NBA Draft, it merely suggests they won't feel obligated to. If a guy like Morez Johnson Jr. slides to No. 15, and they really like his game, they can still be able to draft him. Or if they have seen traits in a big man they find intriguing, they may still go and draft that player at pick No. 38. But now they can make the pick without feeling like they are pressured to do so.

Tuesday night has been a night Chicago Bulls fans have been excited for ever since learning they were awarded the No. 4 pick in the NBA Draft. All eyes will be on Bryson Graham and what moves he decides to make. And if the trade on Monday night suggests anything, it might be that Bulls fans can finally relax in knowing the Bulls have someone in charge who understands the art of building a roster. 

Upon reviewing Bryson Graham's first move for the Chicago Bulls, it's hard to not be excited to see what the next couple might be.