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The 11th pick in the NBA Draft has been extremely kind in recent history.
With apologies to prospects taken in the past three years who are still looking to prove themselves — Jett Howard in 2023, Ousmane Dieng in 2022 and James Bouknight in 2021 — one look at the 11th selection shows great value can still be found just outside the top 10.
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It’s something that should give the Bulls, owners of the 11th pick, and their fans a glimmer of hope leading into Wednesday’s draft.
Staring at a draft that has been universally blasted for allegedly being a weak class, the Bulls’ challenge, assuming they keep their selection, is to find a gem. One league executive said about three-quarters of the way through the pre-draft process it would be a surprise if a single All-Star emerged from this year’s draft class.
But that thinking belies the talent that annually slips into the back end of the lottery and beyond. The 11th pick in particular is ripe with all types of contributors.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, taken 11th in 2018, has morphed into an MVP candidate. Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis transformed into impactful and borderline dominant big men after being selected 11th in 2015 and ’16. Devin Vassell is proving to be a talented, two-way standout after being taken 11th in 2020. And Doug McDermott (2014), Malik Monk (2017) and Cam Johnson (2019) are now splendid sharpshooters.
Rewind three more years to make up for 2021-23 and the recent history of the 11th pick gets stronger.
Klay Thompson went 11th in 2011. The Golden State Warriors star and four-time champion is on his way to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Meyers Leonard was the 11th selection in 2012, and he became a serviceable backup center, which the Bulls can use. And Michael Carter-Williams won NBA Rookie of the Year after being taken 11th in 2013 — the infamous year that Anthony Bennett went No. 1.
CJ McCollum, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Rudy Gobert also were taken in the notoriously weak 2013 draft class. They were selected with the 10th, 15th and 27th picks, respectively.
That’s not to say the 2013 draft was deep beyond a few names, or that this year’s crop will offer more than a few household names. But history suggests a star will indeed emerge this year. The 11th pick is merely a snapshot of the depth that can be found in the middle of the first round each year.
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Another way of looking at what could be for the Bulls this year is reviewing picks 10-20 over the past 10 years. Again, you’ll find tremendous value.
Here are the best draft picks over the past 10 years who were selected 10-20:
2023: Cason Wallace (10), Derrick Lively II (12), Jordan Hawkins (14), Jaime Jaquez Jr. (18), Brandin Podziemski (19).
Jaquez and Podziemski made the NBA All-Rookie First Team, while Wallace and Lively made the second team. Hawkins might be one of the best shooters in the league already,
2022: Jalen Williams (No. 12), Jalen Duren (13), Tari Eason (17).
Williams was slow-cooking at Santa Clara for three seasons before becoming the steal of the draft. Duran and Eason are talented bigs.
2021: Chris Duarte (13), Alperen Şengün (16), Trey Murphy III (17), Jalen Johnson (20).
Şengün has become a star in Houston; Murphy and Johnson are waiting their turn in New Orleans and Atlanta.
2020: Jalen Smith (10), Vassell (11), Tyrese Haliburton (12), Cole Anthony (15), Isaiah Stewart (16), Saddiq Bey (19), Precious Achiuwa (20).
Haliburton might be the only star selected in this range, but the list shows there were plenty of talented players to be had.
2019: Johnson (11), P.J. Washington (12), Tyler Herro (13), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17), Matisse Thybulle (20).
Washington and Herro have been pivotal pieces on NBA Finals teams. Alexander-Walker and Thybulle turned into lockdown perimeter defenders.
2018: Mikal Bridges (10), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (11), Miles Bridges (12), Michael Porter Jr. (14), Donte DiVincenzo (17). Kevin Huerter (19).
The Wendell Carter Jr.-Chandler Hutchison combo the Bulls walked away with at No. 7 and No. 22 was sub-optimal in a very strong year.
2017: Monk (11), Luke Kennard (12), Donovan Mitchell (13), Bam Adebayo (14), John Collins (19).
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Mitchell has become a five-time All-Star. Adebayo is a three-time All-Star.
2016: Sabonis (11), Taurean Prince (12), Malik Beasley (19), Caris LeVert (20).
Sabonis is a three-time All-Star. The others have been reliable role players.
2015: Turner (11), Trey Lyles (12), Devin Booker (13), Kelly Oubre Jr. (15), Terry Rozier (16).
Booker has become one of the league’s best wing scorers. Turner is among the NBA’s best rim protectors.
2014: Elfrid Payton (10), McDermott (11), Zach LaVine (13), T.J. Warren (14), Jusuf Nurkić (16), Gary Harris (19).
LaVine headlines this grouping, which lacks star power but shows plenty of serviceable role players can be found in this range.
(Photo of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Klay Thompson: Ian Maule / Getty Images)
Darnell Mayberry is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Chicago Bulls. He spent 12 years at The Oklahoman, where he handled the Thunder beat before moving into an editor’s role. Prior to The Oklahoman, Darnell covered the University of Akron men's basketball, preps and recruiting at the Akron Beacon Journal. He is the author of "100 Things Thunder Fans Should Know And Do Before They Die." Follow Darnell on Twitter @DarnellMayberry
