Do we really need two whole nights for the NBA Draft?

The NFL takes three days for seven rounds. The NHL completes its seven rounds in two days. Major League Baseball only needs two days for 20 rounds, and they hold theirs in the middle of the season.

Granted, the NHL and NFL only complete their first round on the first night, but we’re talking 60 picks for the entire NBA, five minutes per pick in the first round and four per in the second.

We can’t pick that up at all? Get a move on! The old way was fine.

– Patrick Norton

The Bulls selected 6-foot-10 forward Noa Essengue with the No. 12 pick in the first round of the NBA Draft last night. Essengue, 18, is from Orléans, France, and has spent the last couple of seasons with Ulm of the Basketball Bundesliga.

I love that last quote from the general manager. I wouldn’t be shocked to hear that Eversley moonlights as Magic Johnson’s social media manager after reading that one. Revolutionary stuff.

Regardless of what’s being said behind closed doors, Eversley’s entire press conference lacked any sort of confidence or conviction in the actual direction of what’s in store.

This is a front office — reportedly recently rewarded with contract extensions — stubbornly stuck in aimless purgatory as if everything will just figure itself out. And these are the execs that we’re supposed to believe won’t outbid themselves for Josh Giddey next week?

Good luck.

What’s funny is that Essengue is a decent pick at No. 12 and could eventually develop into a nice piece for the Bulls. The problem is that I can’t be too sure the Bulls’ war room isn’t playing “pin the tail on the prospect” or using a Magic 8 Ball to make their picks.

GO DEEPER: Will Gottlieb on Essengue & Marc Eversley’s vision for the Bulls.

TRAINING CAMP SCHEDULE: The Bears have released their full training camp schedule, including dates for their public practices.

Public practices still require a ticket, which can be acquired free of charge on July 9th at 10 a.m. here. Bookmark it. Tickets usually go incredibly fast.

PUBLIC DATES:

Can’t wait for training camp? Check out my latest on Kyle Monangai’s chance to rise through the ranks quickly in 2025.

HALFWAY HIGH NOTE: At the midway point of Will Venable’s first season as the White Sox’s skipper, the first-time manager has the club 26-55, still five games ahead of where they were last season.

How? Wins like yesterday’s. Lenyn Sosa clubbed two home runs for the Sox, including a go-ahead blast in the fourth inning. Sosa finished the contest with four RBI.

But it’s not just the slugging. It’s Ryan Noda dodging a tag with a creative slide, rookies contributing throughout the lineup, and surprising pitching contributions from reclamation projects like Tyler Anderson.

The Sox are playing inspired ball this season. It might not be good ball, as evidenced by the fact that none of the three runs allowed by Sox pitching yesterday were earned, but there’s undoubtedly a refreshed vibe around the ballclub.

Kudos, Mr. Manager. (It’s just manager)

SAME AS IT EVER WAS: Nothing like a good old-fashioned “get right” game. Ian Happ homered on the first pitch of the game, and the Cubs never looked back, getting one back against the Cardinals after two duds to open the series.

The Cubs smacked three homers in the winning effort, while Matthew Boyd shut down the Cardinals’ offense en route to the 8-0 victory.

What clicked? The Cubs’ defense. Aside from a lazy error by Michael Busch in the first inning, the Cubs’ gloves were sharp throughout, with Matt Shaw’s web gem at third base taking the cake for play of the night.

FOE TO FRIEND? After Cubs insider Bruce Levine dangled the idea that the Cubs could acquire a starting pitcher within the next 10 days, Levine dropped another nugget on Wednesday: That starter could be Mitch Keller from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the Cubs have at least had some sort of conversation with their divisional rival.

Keller, 29, has a 4.02 ERA, but his 2.1 fWAR would lead all Cubs pitchers. More importantly, Keller has brought his HR/9 rate way down in 2025, to a career-low 0.57. Don’t let his 1-10 record deceive you: It’s a Samardzijian number and not an accurate reflection of his game.

Keep in mind that Keller’s rotation mate, Paul Skenes, is just 4-7 with a 2.12 ERA. The Pirates are simply very bad.

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NBA DRAFT ROUND 2
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