There are two ways to build a winning team in the NBA. One is by acquiring some superstars and surrounding them with the right role players. The second is by drafting a generational talent, giving him the right environment to develop and then building around him.

The Chicago Bulls are not anywhere near the first at the moment. They might have a chance to pull off the second though, if things go their way.

Cooper Flagg is widely expected to be the first pick in this year’s NBA Draft and there is a belief that he is a generational talent the likes of which we have not seen in a long time.

The Duke freshman is leading his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. That is something that no ACC player has done for 25 years.

Yet, it looks like the Bulls are not ready to go all out in hopes that they land the No. 1 draft pick.

Their performance against the Philadelphia 76ers was proof of that. While a lot of fans would be quite content to see the Bulls slip down the table and boost their chances of landing Flagg, that does not seem to be what the organization are thinking about.

According to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan said: “I worry a little bit about what kind of message you are sending your locker room.

“And I get what the fans are saying with looking at the percentages and, ‘Who cares [about winning].’ I get that. [But] I don’t think you ever want to give anybody any impression of, ‘Hey, these guys are all healthy, but we’re just resting them.’ I really respect that there’s a responsibility that we have organizationally to go out there and compete and do our best.”

Donovan went on to admit: “I don’t know all the percentages or the odds, all those things.”

Donovan also went on to add: “When we’ve spoken, whether it’s been with front office or ownership, when we’ve all collaborated together, there’s been a consensus that there is an integrity to go out there with.”

Well, it looks like the Bulls are not playing for the lottery chances. They currently sit eighth from the bottom in the NBA by record. That gives them a 6% chance to get the No. 1 pick in the draft and a 26.3% chance to land in the top four.

It is an interesting approach for sure. One that many fans might not agree with, having seen their team be stuck in mediocrity for years.