(Sports Network) - The Chicago Bulls made the most of their 1.7 percent chance of landing the top pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, winning the lottery to claim the No. 1 overall selection on June 26. The Bulls, who finished 33-49 and did not qualify for the playoffs this past season, have a lot of tough decisions to make during the offseason. Forward Luol Deng and shooting guard Ben Gordon are restricted free agents, and reserve guard Chris Duhon is unrestricted. Gordon led the Bulls in scoring (18.6 ppg), while Deng averaged 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds.

Bulls executive vice president-basketball operations John Paxson has to make difficult financial decisions on all of the above, but those choices will be overshadowed by his decision on which way to go in the draft. The top two prospects are forward Michael Beasley of Kansas State and guard Derrick Rose of Memphis. Both have excellent all-around games and should have an immediate impact during their rookie seasons.

What should the plan be for the Bulls?

No matter what Paxson decides to do with Chicago's crop of free agents, the Bulls should already have Beasley's name on a jersey for next season. The 6-10 forward is an awesome presence on both ends of the court, and will solve many problems for the Bulls. The athletic Beasley runs the floor well and will make Chicago dangerous in transition, while simultaneously adding offensive power in the low post and helping greatly on the boards.

The selection of Beasley would also make the team's other offseason issues less complicated. There would still be a place at small forward for Deng, and Gordon would fit in nicely as a scorer in the backcourt. It may not work financially for the Bulls, but from a basketball standpoint, it makes sense.

Even though starting point guard Kirk Hinrich had a poor 2007-08 campaign, he should bounce back next season. The Kansas product, who averaged 11.5 points and a team-high 6.0 assists in 75 games last year, would definitely be more productive with a player like Beasley in the lineup. His value to the Bulls makes the point guard Rose a less desirable No. 1 choice.

The 6-3 Rose is a tremendous talent and will be an excellent point guard for many years to come, but Beasley can play both forward spots and fills a void on the court for Chicago. The Bulls would have to look to trade Hinrich if they picked Rose, and that wouldn't be easy because of the guard's big contract, which still has multiple years and a lot of money left on it.

When all is said and done, it's a no-brainer. Beasley fits the suit in the Windy City.

THE HEAT IS ON

Pat Riley is not a very patient man, and is hoping he can fix Miami's problems right away. The Heat, who had the league's worst record at 15-67 and had a 25 percent chance of landing the top pick in the lottery, instead landed the second pick in the upcoming draft and will take whoever Chicago does not select from the duo of Beasley and Rose.

The Heat already have Dwyane Wade in the backcourt and would be thrilled to pair him with Rose, while Beasley would fill a need in the frontcourt and would look good next to Shawn Marion. Either way, Miami will be happy with whoever is left at No. 2, if it keeps the pick.

Don't be shocked if Riley uses the second overall selection in a trade to acquire an All-Star-caliber player. If Riley wants to get back to the playoffs next season, dealing the pick might more quickly enable him to reach that goal. There will be plenty of high profile players available about whom Riley can inquire.

Denver is rumored to be listening to offers for All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, while Dallas' Josh Howard, Charlotte's Jason Richardson, and Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa of Phoenix may also be on the trading block.

Riley will try and build around Marion and Wade, but in addition the No. 2 pick, power forward Udonis Haslem has value and may have to be sacrificed in order for the Heat to make a blockbuster deal.



BIG CHANGES COMING IN NEW JERSEY

The Nets have two picks (10,21) in the upcoming draft, and will definitely be looking to make some big personnel moves aside from that selection during the offseason. When All-Star Jason Kidd was traded to Dallas prior to the deadline, it became obvious that more changes would eventually be coming. That time has arrived.

Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson will each be subject to trade talks throughout the summer, while starting point guard Devin Harris, who was obtained in the Kidd deal, is the player the team will build around. General manager Kiki Vandeweghe is reportedly talking to Denver about a potential deal that would bring Anthony and fellow Nugget Marcus Camby to New Jersey. Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal and Andrea Bargnani of Toronto are two other big names that could be linked to possible trades with the Nets.

Vandeweghe has to be careful with his moves. He should try and avoid dealing his two first-round picks, unless he can package them both to move into the top five. Either USC's O.J. Mayo or Indiana's Eric Gordon would be a great fit next to Harris in the backcourt, if New Jersey can move up in the draft. Either way, the team should find a way to trade Carter and Jefferson, and start the franchise in a new direction.





Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved