2017 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Suns snag Lonzo Ball; Heat trade up for Fox

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Feb 20, 2017; Morgantown, WV, USA; Texas Longhorns forward Jarrett Allen (31) dunks the ball during the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers at WVU Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

16. Chicago Bulls – Jarrett Allen, C, Texas

GM: Ryan Piers; Twitter: @RyanPiersMedia

With the 16th pick in the draft, I made a very un-Bulls like selection by choosing Jarrett Allen. The long armed, post player from Texas is a project. And the Bulls have a recent track record of selecting “NBA ready” players, but after Doug McDermott and Denzel Valentine both floundered in the Windy City, it’s time to value upside over immediate impact.

With Uber athleticism, Allen relies on his physical attributes out maneuver post defenders, leaping over his opponents like DeAndre Jordan for dunks and easy buckets. He is like Jordan, an efficient post scorer, evident by the fact he led the Big 12 in field goal percentage.

But also like Jordan, Allen will likely sluggishly adapt to the NBA game. He struggles to shoot outside the paint and his defensive post skills are raw. But despite little talent around him, Allen excelled during the second half of his conference season, showing signs of rapid improvement.

If his upward trajectory continues into his NBA career, Allen is worth a lottery pick. He is your prototypical center; physical, efficient and able to protect the rim. He is great in the pick-and-roll, a must have quality for centers in today’s game.

For the Bulls, he would be a great supportive piece. As Chicago looks to, hopefully, breakdown and rebuild, Allen slides in as a complimentary player to a future star guard or wingman in the coming years.

Plus, he is the best Longhorns post player since LeMarcus Aldridge, a talent the Bulls famously drafted and traded for future dud Tyrus Thomas. Let’s hope they don’t pass on a skilled, Texas big man again.