“K.C., who are the best big men projected to be available coming out of Europe? If the Bulls don’t trade their pick, which of the Europeans do you think John Paxson would have the most interest in and why?”
Jack Lucas, Mission Viejo., Calif.
This kid from Siberia, 7-foot-5 Pavel Podkolzine, is getting a lot of attention as an extremely raw project who has solid athleticism for his size. Russian born Ivan Chiriaev, now living in Canada, has declared and is a 7-foot-1 kid who allegedly can handle the ball like a point guard. There is another project named Ha Seung Jin, an 18-year-old kid from South Korea, who could go late first round. There are others, too, as Europe continues to produce raw talent. In fact, unproven high school and European players will dominate this draft. If the Bulls keep their pick and Emeka Okafor is available, he’s a lock. I can see Paxson signing a European player as a free agent or making one a second-round pick. But it won’t be with the lottery pick.
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Find more answers and send questions to the Tribune’s Bulls beat writer K.C. Johnson at chicagosports.com
