Bulls’ brass on the clock and hopefully hype-free

This is the time of year when wannabe NBA scouts wearing media credentials come out in droves.

After all, they watched Oklahoma guard Trae Young play three or four games last season and saw highlights of him on ‘‘SportsCenter.’’ So, of course, they’re experts.

As far as how Young would fit in with the Bulls? Heck, minor details.

He’s a ball-dominant point guard, which conflicts with coach Fred Hoiberg’s move-the-ball offense. And the Bulls ranked 27th in defense this past season, so why not add another defensive liability to the mix?

Opposing teams might pick and isolate him to death, but did you see that 35-footer he put up? He didn’t make it, but that’s exciting basketball.

These media scouts also would like you to forget that 10 of the top 11 teams in points allowed made the playoffs this past season. And the Warriors and Cavaliers were second and fifth, respectively, in that category once the playoffs started.

So how’s that push for Young at No. 7 feeling right about now?

Here’s the reality: As long as Hoiberg is the Bulls’ coach, he is going to continue adding offensive sets in which the ball ends up in forward Lauri Markkanen’s hands. Point guard Kris Dunn is as close as the Bulls have to an elite defender, shooting guard Zach LaVine is athletic but has serious defensive issues and center Robin Lopez is entering the final year of his contract.

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What’s missing is a small forward who can play defense while slowly becoming part of the offense or a big man

who can switch between power forward and center with Markkanen.

One NBA executive said the draft is top-heavy with fool’s gold, but the area between the 15th and 30th picks is loaded with players close in talent with a lot of upside. That’s why there’s a realistic chance the player the Bulls draft at No. 22 — the pick they received from the Pelicans — will turn out to be better than the player they take at No. 7.

But what should have Bulls fans anxious leading up to the draft Thursday is that general manager Gar Forman once let Kentucky coach John Calipari talk him into making point guard Marquis Teague a first-round draft pick.

Three dream scenarios for the Bulls

1. They are able to package the No. 7 and No. 22 picks with a future protected first-round pick to move up and grab Marvin Bagley III, the player the coaching staff thinks would be the best fit with Markkanen.

2. They are able to package the No. 7 and No. 22 picks to move up and grab Jaren Jackson Jr., the player the coaching staff thinks would be the second-best fit with Markkanen.

3. Michael Porter Jr. falls to them at No. 7, and they add a shooter — such as Maryland’s Kevin Huerter — with the No. 22 pick.

Three nightmare scenarios for the Bulls

1. They draft Trae Young with the No. 7 pick, then double-down on a draft gone wrong by selecting Grayson Allen with the No. 22 pick.

2. They draft Wendell Carter Jr., and the entire fan base yawns. And Allen still ends up on the team. Forman loves his Dukies.

3. They trade down to No. 10 and draft Mikal Bridges, thinking they’ve found the next Jimmy Butler.