According to Doug Thonus of Bulls Confidential, the New Jersey Nets rejected the Bulls offer for the 11th pick. The Bulls were targeting Gerald Henderson with the 11th pick.

As I stated in a previous post, I am not a big fan of the Bulls drafting Gerald Henderson. I’d much rather they draft they draft a big man with this pick. The big men available seem more intriguing to me than Henderson.

However, Henderson is that elusive big third guard, that the Bulls have been searching for.

Regardless, as of right now, based on this rumor, it looks like the Bulls will not end up with Henderson if they remain at 16.

A lot can change over these next two days. The Nets could change their mind or the Bulls could find a different trading partner.

According to a reputable Chicago Bulls insider, the Bulls are looking to move up for either Gerald Henderson or James Johnson.

Gerald Henderson is a 6′5″, junior shooting guard from Duke. He averaged 16.5 points per a game for the Blue Devils last year.

James Johnson is a 6′8″, sophomore power forward from Wake Forest. He averaged 15.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks last year.

I am not a big Gerald Henderson fan. He wasn’t an efficient scorer and wasn’t a great three point shooter in college. Duke players have been questionable in transitioning to the NBA, and the good ones seem to be cursed, as Grant Hill, Luol Deng, and Carlos Boozer have all dealt with injury problems. I just can’t see the Bulls moving up for him, we already have a shooting guard, who I think, is far superior to Henderson.

James Johnson would be an interesting prospect. He scored at a good efficiency and was a solid rebounder and shotblocker last year. Johnson adds some strength to the front court, weighing in at 257 pounds and doing 18 bench press repetitions at the draft combine.

The Bulls likely wouldn’t give up much in this trade, maybe a second round draft pick or cash, if anything. (The team they trade with might just enjoy the smaller rookie scale contract they will get from trading down).

There was a rumor buzzing around earlier about the Bulls potentially trading up to the 11th pick, which the Nets possess. That should be high enough to at least nab one of these two guys. Worst case, Bulls are stuck taking another guy like Tyler Hansborough or B.J. Mullens

I don’t like the idea of trading up for a guard. I like the guards we have now, Derrick Rose, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, and John Salmons. Yes, Hinrich is an expensive sixth man, but the Bulls are one of the few teams that can afford to have the luxury of having a player like Hinrich coming off the bench.

The only thing I would look to add in the back court is a three point specialist, and Henderson does not fit that description. I would not draft Henderson.

James Johnson is a guy however, who I wouldn’t be upset with the Bulls taking. There are some interesting big man prospects around where the Bulls are picking in Johnson, Mullens, Hansborough, and Blair. The Bulls have done a good job evaluating draft prospects since John Paxson took over, so whoever out of that group Paxson and company decide to take will probably end up being a good decision.

There also is the possibility that the Bulls might just be looking to trade up to secure one of these guys for the Suns. There are rumors that the Suns are shopping Amare. They were reportedly in talks with the Wizards for the 5th pick, but the Wizards were not willing to deal Caron Butler. Hoops World Bill Ingram also hinted yesterday that the Bulls would be involved in a big deal, logically for Amare. The Suns would probably want the Bulls picks in any such deal, so the Bulls could just be trying to secure a guy the Suns like by trading up.

1. Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin (Oklahoma, Sophomore)

The Clippers have a history of making lackluster draft selections, but they’re not going to mess this one up.  Right?

2. Memphis Grizzlies - Ricky Rubio (Joventut)

If Yi Jianlian’s threats didn’t stop the Bucks from drafting him, then the Grizzlies shouldn’t cave to the demands of Rubio.  The flashy guard is a perfect fit for Memphis’ high tempo offense.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder - James Harden (Arizona State, Sophomore)

While Harden only measured 6′5″ in shoes, his great weight should help him to be a good defensive force if he puts his mind to it.  Harden will give the Thunder some added scoring, and Harden will step in for Thabo Sefolosha, who was never a longterm solution at shooting guard for the Thunder.

4. Sacramento Kings -Brandon Jennings (Lottomatica Roma)

The Kings may have something at the shooting guard spot in Kevin Martin, at the power forward spot with Jason Thompson, and at center, with Spencer Hawes.  Therefore, they could choose to pass on a big man, opting for a point guard, a position that has had increased importance placed on it as of late.

5. Washington Wizards - Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut, Junior)

The Wizards were one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA last season.  Thabeet’s shotblocking prowess should help improve their dreadful defense.

6. Minnesota Timberwolves - Tyreke Evans (Memphis, Freshman)

Minnesota is set in the frontcourt with Al Jefferson and Keivn Love, so they will look for help in the backcourt.

7. Golden State Warriors - Jordan Hill (Arizona, Junior)

Hill averaged an impressive 18 points and 11 rebounds in his junior season.  He will slip down to seventh because of team needs, and will be a great value pick for the Warriors.

8. New York Knicks - Stephen Curry (Davidson, Junior)

The Knicks have reportedly given a gaurantee to Curry.

9. Toronto Raptors - DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh, Sophomore)

Even if the Raptors decide to keep Chris Bosh, they still will need more toughness up front.

10. Milwaukee Bucks - Ty Lawson (North Carolina, Junior)

Scott Skiles likes winners, and he will be looking for a point guard to help lead his team.

11. New Jersey Nets - Earl Clark (Louisville, Junior)

The Nets will be looking to find a front court mate for Brook Lopez.

12. Charlotte Bobcats - DeMar DeRozen (USC, Freshman)

After trading Jason Richardson, the Bobcats will be in a market for a shooting guard.  They are in need of a star, and DeRozen has some star potential.

13. Indiana Pacers - James Johnson (Wake Forest, Sophomore)

The Pacers seem set in the perimeter positions, so they will look for some big man help.

14. Phoenix Suns - Johnny Flynn (Syracuse, Sophomore)

The Suns begin preparing for life after Steve Nash by drafting his replacement.

15. Detroit Pistons - Omri Casspi (Maccabi Tel Aviv)

With this pick, the Pistons go for a player they can store overseas for a few years while they keep their salary commitment down while they have capspace.  The Pistons have been toying with the idea of trading either Richard Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince, so if he does come over this season, there may be minutes for him.

16. Chicago Bulls - B.J. Mullens (Ohio State, Freshman)

The Bulls have needed front court help for so long, and Mullens is a guy with start potential.  Mullen’s measurements from the pre-draft camp were impressive, measuring in at 7′1″, 258 pounds, with a 9′3″ standing reach.

17. Philadelphia 76ers - Eric Maynor (VCU, Senior)

Even if the 76ers re-sign Andre Miller, he isn’t a longterm solution, as he is getting up there in age.  The 76ers would look for Maynor to be their point guard of the future.

18. Minnesota Timberwolves - Chase Budinger (Arizona, Junior)

With their second pick in the draft, the T’Wolves look for more help out on the perimeter.  Budinger should give Al Jefferson an option to kick the ball out to for three.

19. Atlanta Hawks - Jrue Holiday (UCLA, Freshman)

With Bibby aging and a free agent, the Hawks will need some help at the point guard position.

20. Utah Jazz - Jeff Pendergraph (Arizona State, Senior)

The Jazz will be looking for some front court help as potentially three of their big men, Carlos Boozer, Paul Millsap, and Mehmet Okur will be free agents.

21. New Orleans Hornets -Victor Claver (Pamesa Valencia)

Claver is an international player that the Hornets may be able to store overseas for a few years.  Claver could provide some solid three point shooting that would complement Chris Paul.

22. Dallas Mavericks - Gerald Henderson (Duke, Junior)

The Mavericks take Henderson as a value pick after he slipped in the draft.

23. Sacramento Kings - Slava Kravstov (BC Kyiv)

With their second pick in the draft, the Kings take a center prospect who they can store overseas.

24. Portland Trailblazers - Terrence Williams (Lousville, Senior)

The Blazers take Williams for the defense, as they need help on that side of the game.

25. Oklahoma City Thunder - Tyler Hansborough (North Carolina, Senior)

The Thunder go for some front court help in a proven winner.

26. Chicago Bulls - DeMarre Carroll (Missouri, Senior)

The Bulls draft Carroll to be a tough, defensive minded energy player to help bolster the Bulls’ weak defense.  Defending Lebron will be a priority going forward, and Carroll may have the tools to slow him down.  Carroll should be a natural fit for the Bulls’ fast paced offense as he is coming from Mike Anderson’s Missouri system, which has a rep as the fastest 40 minutes in basketball.

27. Memhis Grizzlies - Wayne Ellington (North Carolina, Junior)

Ellington could give the Grizzlies some three point shooting, providing a good kick out option for Rubio.

28. Minnesota Timberwolves - Vladimir Dasic (KK Buducnost Podgorica)

With their third pick in the draft, the Timberwolves take a small forward/power forward prospect that they may be able to store overseas.

29. Los Angeles Lakers - Marcus Thornton (LSU, Senior)

Thornton could step in right away to contribute to the Lakers, and provide them with some perimeter scoring.

30. Cleveland Cavaliers - Gene Lawal (Georgia Tech, Senior)

The Cavs need to get some youth on their frontline, as Ilgauskus, Wallace, and Smith are getting up there in age.