(670 The Score) The Bulls didn’t find any luck in the NBA Draft lottery Tuesday, so they’ve forked over their first-round pick here in 2021.
The Bulls landed the No. 8 pick in the draft after the ping-pong ball combinations didn’t go their way in the lottery, a selection they then conveyed to the Orlando Magic as part of the trade in which Chicago acquired All-Star center Nikola Vucevic in late March. The Bulls would’ve retained their first-round pick in 2021 had it landed among the top four selections. Chicago had a 20.3% chance to jump up into the top four and a 4.5% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick.
As part of the trade for Vucevic, the Bulls still owe the Magic a first-round pick in 2023. That selection is protected for slots 1-4.
The Pistons landed the No. 1 pick in the lottery, followed by the Rockets (No. 2), the Cavaliers (No. 3) and the Raptors (No. 4).
The Bulls do hold the No. 38 pick in the second round of the NBA Draft, which will be held July 29.
Cody Westerlund is a sports editor for 670TheScore.com and covers the Bulls. Follow him on Twitter @CodyWesterlund.