The Bulls selected James Johnson of Wake Forest with the 16th pick in the draft Thursday night, adding a versatile forward with a martial arts background who can hit the jumper and dunk in traffic to a front line that could use some scoring pop.
The Bulls then took Southern California forward Taj Gibson at No. 26 even though Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair, thought to be a possibility with the 16th pick, still was on the board.
Although they added size and strength, the Bulls could still use an inside scoring presence to go with Joakim Noah, Tyrus Thomas and Brad Miller. To that end, they might be leading contenders for Chris Bosh if Toronto decides to trade its All-Star.
The 6-foot-8, 257-pound Johnson averaged 15.0 points and a team-leading 8.5 rebounds as a sophomore last season for the Demon Deacons, a team that finished 24-7 and held the No. 1 ranking in January.
Gibson gives the Bulls another forward with a wide wing span who can block shots and run the floor, but his low-post game is limited. He also struggled at the foul line, shooting 58 percent over three seasons at Southern Cal. Even so, he averaged 14.3 points and a team-leading 9.0 rebounds and 2.9 blocks as a junior last season.
James Johnson
Position: Forward
Height/weight: 6-7 3/4, 257
Birthdate: Feb. 20, 1987
High school: Cheyenne (Wyo.) East
College: Wake Forest
Projected strengths: Potential to create mismatches. Ability to score in a variety of ways. Ability to run the floor. Can score with either hand. Solid ballhandler after playing point guard in high school.
Taj Gibson
Position: Forward
Height/weight: 6-9 3/4, 214
Birthdate: June 24, 1985
High school: Calvary Christ-ian (Pacific Grove, Calif.)
College: USC
Projected strengths: Shot blocker who will concentrate on defense and rebounding. At 24, considered more mature than most rookies. Can run the floor well.
