Matt Norlander: Caleb Wilson would 'inject legitimate optimism' into Bulls

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Rahimi & Grote Show 20 min 3 speakers 6 chapters transcribed 3 months ago

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What is the significance of the Bulls getting the fourth pick in the NBA Draft?

0:00

Let's not sit here and say because we have the fourth pick and all of a sudden this franchise is like, it's back. You know what I mean? But this is just a good opportunity to add high-level talent to our group and build this, like I keep saying, layer it appropriately. And so it's exciting, man. I can't believe it. I just got the job and I got the fourth pick. This is crazy, man. This is crazy.

Vinny Rotino 0:23

This is Rahimi Harrison-Grody on 104.3 The Score, and that is Bryson Graham speaking after the draft lottery that netted the Bulls the fourth overall pick in tonight's NBA draft. And we go to our hotline. That is where we find our next guest. He is the senior writer and college basketball analyst for CBS Sports, co-host of the Eye on College Basketball podcast, and he joins us on Twitch, twitch.tv slash thescorechicago. Matt Norlander, thanks for coming on.

Matt Norlander 0:52

It's my pleasure to be on. I mean, unfortunately, the way I'm cropped, I'm rocking my bear shirt, just so you know. Parents born and raised in Chicago, diehard Bears fan, so all too happy to be on with you.

Vinny Rotino 1:02

Oh, yeah. Pop the jersey. Let's go. That's great. You guys can see that on Twitch if you're watching. We did get a... That's an orange bear shirt.

Marshall Harris 1:10

Matt, we got to start with this draft. Look, this man's putting out content by the minute. Yeah. Posted 13 minutes ago. Here's the headline. 2026 NBA Draft Intel. Latest buzz on Wizards' number one pick, trade chatter, and prospects rising late. Now, we care about that because... Here in Chicago, the Bulls have the fourth overall pick. This is an article you can go check out on CBSSports.com right now. And Matt, I'm a staunch believer that Darren Peterson is going to have a better career than A.J. DeBonsa. And you're writing as if it's not a sure thing that DeBonsa will go number one to the Wizards.

Matt Norlander 1:49

Well, OK, 100 percent. I'm not there. But I do. I do think there's still the possibility that Washington could be fooling all of us. It was four years ago when up until all of what, two, three hours before the draft, even less than that. Everyone thought Jabari Smith Jr. was going to Orlando. And what happened? Paulo Bancaro went one. Jabari Smith Jr. fell to three to Houston. Chet Holmgren went two to Oklahoma City. It's not unthinkable. Washington's done its diligence on this significantly, and they could certainly opt to do that. But the feeling around the league, I talked to nearly a dozen GMs and scouts over the past five days or so. I asked all of them, what do you think is going to happen at one? And I got nine returns on AJ and two on Darren Peterson.

Matt Norlander 2:34

So we'll see. I think it will be AJ at number one. I talked to his father earlier today. I wrote a big feature on DeBonsa last week and read at CBSSports.com. And he told me, I don't know where he's going, but AJ is going number one. And so I think he just cracked the door a little bit to the chaos scenario somehow of Utah actually being able to maneuver to number one. I don't think that'll happen. I think the Wizards take DeBonsa number one and we get the draft rolling from there.

Vinny Rotino 2:56

I will say, Matt, that that adds to what we had seen in reports weeks ago about how the Wizards would be open to making some sort of deal. So perhaps it's a big risk to take when you consider one and two, but perhaps that is a possibility bigger than what we originally thought.

Matt Norlander 3:13

The one reason that would back up why that's still a possibility is because this draft is so complex. loaded and at the top with the top four picks in general, um, you can build a scenario in case around which, uh, what one franchise might value as a number one player. Another franchise might value as number three on their board and, and et cetera, et cetera. And could they find common ground there? I still don't think we're going to get there. Um, because I don't think these general managers want to look back and having seen, having traded away from a spot to get player a, when they could have had player B. So I don't think we'll get there, but it is still possible. I'm rooting for it. I always want the chaos.