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Other than managing the critical free agency of DeMar DeRozan as well as the franchise's direction moving forward, the Chicago Bulls will approach the upcoming offseason with eagerness to determine the new building blocks of their future. 

The 2024 NBA Draft offers the Bulls a chance to select a new talented prospect and join Coby White, Ayo Dosunmu and Patrick Williams in the team's promisingly young nucleus.

Bulls pick Walter at No. 17

In his latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft board, Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman lands the Bulls at the No. 12 spot of the overall selection in which they pick Ja’Kobe Walter.

“Averaging 14.8 points, Ja'Kobe Walter has relied on three-point shooting and trips to the free-throw line. He's a confident shotmaker who's a threat to attack in straight lines and draw contract. He's also down to just 38.8 percent from the floor while averaging 1.5 assists in 31.3 minutes. A lot will be riding on his jump shot and execution in the lane, though he clearly has the stroke and tools to excel in that spot-up-heavy role.”

Ja'Kobe Walter's talented background

Walter, 19, is currently a freshman standout for the Baylor Bears. A 5-star prospect and the No. 1 shooting guard in the class of 2023, he possesses an electrifying offensive skill set and a massive upside for a combo guard.

As he is averaging 14.8 points, 4.4 boards, 1.5 assists, and 1.2 steals, he is a solid piece of Baylor's top-four run thus far in the Big 12 Conference with a record of 9-6 (20-8 overall).