About 90 minutes before the NBA draft began Thursday, a Bulls official strolled the court at the Berto Center, looking about as relaxed as a vacationer.
“Seems like a quiet night,” a bystander said.
“It will be,” the official replied.
Those fans clamoring for the Bulls to engage in trade talks for high-profile movement around the league like Shaquille O’Neal to Cleveland, Vince Carter to Orlando and Amare Stoudemire possibly departing Phoenix might be upset.
The Bulls apparently weren’t after adding Wake Forest forward James Johnson with the 16th pick and USC power forward Taj Gibson at No. 26.
The Bulls believe the players can contribute as rookies while not upsetting the team’s financial flexibility moving forward.
The Bulls should be in prime position if Toronto makes All-Star forward Chris Bosh available near the February 2010 trade deadline. In lieu of that, the Bulls could own close to $25 million worth of expiring contracts for the highly regarded free agent class of 2010.
“We love James’ versatility,” general manager Gar Forman said. “He can play small forward. He can play power forward. He can play inside. He can play outside.
“At his size (6 feet 7 3/4 inches and 257 pounds), he can rebound the ball, put it on the floor and push it in transition. He can penetrate. He’s a very good passer for a big guy. He can make plays for himself and his teammates off the dribble.
“Taj gives us great length (6-9 3/4, 214 pounds), which is something we need. He runs the floor well, which is important for our bigs to run with Derrick [Rose]. He also can play out on the floor some and can handle and pass it. USC ran offense through him. And he can make a 15-footer.”
Forman said the Bulls came “very close” to packaging their two picks into one higher selection.
League sources said Duke shooting guard Gerald Henderson, who went No. 12 to Charlotte, and North Carolina forward Tyler Hansbrough, who went No. 13 to Indiana, were players the Bulls had high on their board with Johnson if they had moved up.
Nevertheless, both Forman and coach Vinny Del Negro called Johnson a top “five to seven” talent in the draft.
“James has a lot of skill,” Del Negro said. “For a big guy, he has a feel for the game and can do a little of everything.
“Taj gives us length. He runs the court. He’ll block shots. He shot the ball better than I expected in his workout here.”
Gibson, who turned 24 on Wednesday, averaged 12.4 points on 58 percent shooting in three seasons at USC. The Bulls were impressed by his maturity and length during his workout and interview process. He has a wingspan of 7 feet 4 inches.
Johnson, 22, averaged 14.8 points on 51.4 percent shooting in two seasons at Wake Forest.
Though questions persist about his habit of losing focus, his ability to score with either hand and in a variety of ways impressed the Bulls.
“I’m really excited,” Johnson said from Wyoming, where he watched the draft with his family, former teachers and coaches. “I’m going to come in and work. I think I can help them out.”
Johnson said his background playing in the tough ACC will help him, and he answered questions about being considered a player between positions.
“The ACC has great talent,” Johnson said. “You’ve seen the guys who went earlier in the first round. It prepares you for fast-paced games.
“In my mind, I’m a small forward, but you can use me at power forward. I can defend multiple players. I’m just happy the Bulls took me.”
The addition of two forwards brings into question the future of Tyrus Thomas, whose window to extend his rookie contract opens July 1.
Historically, the Bulls have been reluctant to extend rookie contracts in the first summer of eligibility, and adding Johnson and Gibson crowds the frontcourt further.
“They’re nice complements,” Forman said.
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kcjohnson@tribune.com
