It was the running joke around the Advocate Center after Tuesday’s Round 1 of the NBA Draft.
Bryson Graham’s SLAP (Size, Length, Athleticism, Physicality) acronym seemed like it was missing an S, as in Shooting.
SLAPS anyone?
Of the Bulls players with guaranteed contracts posting the highest three-point percentage from last season, Jalen Smith led the group with 37.3%. Josh Giddey was at 36.4%, Matas Buzelis 34.9%, and Patrick Williams 34.7%.
No. 4 overall pick Caleb Wilson shot 25.9% from three in his one season as a Tar Heel, while No. 15 overall pick Dailyn Swain was at 34.4%.
Numbers that the Bulls’ executive vice president of basketball operations didn’t hide from when discussing the two newest members of the roster.
“Shooting obviously is a skill that can improve,” Graham said. “(Wilson and Swain’s) mechanics are sound. Both shots are compact. I see guys that can develop. Some history behind some of the guys that were taken in my previous draft history are guys that improved their shooting over the years. When you check a ton of other boxes, defending, playmaking, advantage creating, maybe shooting is somewhat of a weakness at the moment, but it doesn’t deter me from taking you.
“The mentality, the work rate, the variety of skills is really important. So I think those guys might be a little … you know, no one’s perfect. Those guys fit the type of guys we want to bring into this building.”
That’s why Graham wasn’t also looking to chase game-changing shooters in Round 2 on Wednesday.
With the No. 8 pick of the second round (38th overall) the exec selected Purdue shooter Braden Smith out of Purdue and promptly traded him to Indiana for 6-4 lefty guard Kam Jones, a future swapping of second-round picks and cash considerations.
While Jones did shoot 40.6% from three-point range his junior season at Marquette, he shot only 29.3% from long range in his rookie campaign with the Pacers.
As for their second pick in Round 2 (No. 26, 56th overall), that was traded to the Lakers for cash considerations.
In Graham’s estimation, however, this current crop of players collected in the last few days are the foundation of the rebuild, and more shooting will come.
Even when the Nic Claxton three-way deal is made official on July 6, Graham will still have $31 million in cap space to spend this offseason, while three-point marksmen like Oklahoma City’s Isaiah Joe (42.3% from three) are on the trade block for opposing teams to pursue.
That’s the can being kicked down the road – hopefully from over 40% – while the top priority is making sure this group understands how important defense and physicality will be.
“(Defense is) going to be our calling card for our team to begin with,” Graham said. “Coach (Tiago Splitter) has really, really put an emphasis on that as we’ve talked. Being obviously a rookie, you gotta earn your keep. The fastest way to earn playing time and opportunity is on the defensive side of the ball. As Dailyn comes in and Caleb comes in, I’m looking for them to be tone setters on that side of the floor and be pillars for this organization going forward.”
A message Wilson heard loud and clear, but he also added what he feels are the extra intangibles he will bring Day 1.
“Bryson, of course, told me (about) the SLAP thing,” Wilson said of the conversations that have already gone on since he was selected. “But he also said stuff about having great guys and a great locker room and team chemistry, and that’s something I’m always going to be able to give a franchise.
“My ability (is) to get to the rim off self-creation, be able to come off ball screens and dribble handoffs, create. I feel I’m a great passer and feel I can create plays for many others without shooting.”
An added bonus that Wilson comes with? An ability to do his homework. Leading up to Tuesday’s draft, Wilson reached out to former Bull – and fellow UNC alum – Coby White to get a feel about what the Bulls fan base and city is about. The intel sounded on point.
“Excited, grateful,” Wilson said. “Chicago is a great city. I heard it gets really cold. So I’ll get me some puffer jackets and wear me some long johns or something like that to get ready for the weather. But I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
A puffer jacket works. Picking up an outside jumper along the way wouldn’t hurt, either.