2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[Infinity2152]

Yeah, yet Coby rates worse than all of them in most categories ... has had a slower development cycle... and all 5 guys are definitively considered overpaid, so I don't know why a GM would go ahead and pull the same mistake overpaying such a player. The rewards are a mixed bag when you're saddled with an overpaid player. Jalen wasn't the deciding factor in the Suns trade, it was the #10 pick.

(And Jamal is a whole other category; his recent decline doesn't take away that he had a really dominant post-season and helped Jokic win the championship, right before he got paid)

I agree he'll get money, but I'm not sure about anything over $30M+. He hasn't established he's as good as a Jalen nor RJ (and he's 2 seasons older than JG).

I could pull up the stats, those guys were most certainly not better than Coby in most categories last year. Especially the second half of the season after Zach left. You say all 5 guys are overpaid. That's the point. 25-26 old scoring guards are ALWAYS going to be overpaid. There will always be tons of teams willing to compete for them. Orlando was just trying to get Coby, and give up firsts to do it reportedly. The logic can't be teams won't do what they always do, because they'll learn from it. Name just one 25-26 yr old guy scoring 20+ without serious injury issues that didn't get PAID as an unrestricted free agent. It will never happen, as long as some teams have cap space. Scoring and three point shooting is king now.

I don't disagree. I think he'll get paid.

However, I do think the 2nd apron will tighten up drunken spending. I really think that's it. Tonight's draft should set the direction for a lot of teams too. A lot of teams aren't really preparing cap space for 2026. BRK, LAL will have flexibility, but they'll probably plan bigger. I can see LAC, DET, WAS and UTA showing interest. Important to note that Lavine, Harden, Powell, Reaves have player options... Ivey, Mathurin, Braun, Dyson, Sharpe, etc. hitting RFA. There will be a lot of competition. Coby ranks #32 on this list: https://hoopshype.com/lists/2026-nba-free-agent-rankings-the-best-players-available-next-year/

There's an argument he's more a top-25 target, cause of his age, and obviously some guys aren't declining their options (Beal, Lillard, Sexton). But he still has to elevate his game.

Yeah, a lot of it is SO many teams are projected to have a lot of cap space in 2026. The bidding could get crazy for certain guys, and Coby with a good season could be one of them. There aren't a lot of top FA options better. I'd rather get equal talent now than take the risk, if possible. I'd be perfectly fine with Coby at $30 mill, but I think that's his floor, not his ceiling. He's likely our number 1 option, he may put up the best numbers of his career with the highest usage and more minutes.

You should check out a salary table to see how many teams will have space in 2026.

[Ballerkingn23]

As expected the bulls are silent, they love to tease and get fans invested into doing nothing lol

[TheJordanRule]

The Bulls are in no position to let go of a 45-37-90 20ppg player. $30m/yr is like 15% of the cap. Why can't he be Jamal Murray for the Bulls? (we have no jokic I know)

Dayum! Strong points. Jamal Murray is not a bad comp offensively. Technically, Murray spreads it around a little better, averaging one more assist per game (4.7 vs 3.8) and about a thousand more assists per season but I think a convincing case could be made that Murray's extra assist per game comes from a function of working with better teammates instead of any real Lonzo-like or Giddey-like court vision. But I'm an old head and predictably defense is what I'm worried about most. The Jordan Pippen Harper PittBull type defense is what got us there in the past, and I know the kids love the three point bonanzas and regular 50+ point game outings of the new generation, but we can never lose sight of the fact that defense is 50 % of the game. On the flip side $30 million per year is only 15 % of the cap, which means I have no clue how contracts work these days. I remember when Jordan got $30 mil for one year. It was a big freakin deal. Coby resigned at 15 % of the cap could be worth it for the off chance that he continues to pick up his game. I think that's pretty unlikely. He's likely to become a Zach clone at best, and when I review Zach's time with us, I have to say that Zach was ultimately worth less than the sum of his parts. A cutting unfair analysis, perhaps. Jamal got 1.4 steals per game this past year, to Coby's 0.9 and while I understand that the steals stat is broken with its lack of ability to account for the times a defender got caught out of position gambling on a passing lane, I still think Coby's far more likely to be caught out of position than Jamal. Jamal's edge on steals, therefore, is a strong edge backed up by the numbers. What I enjoy about Coby on the defensive end is that he's not scared to crash the boards. For a guy his size, his defensive rebound ability has been greatly enhanced by his effort. I love that Coby's effort is never the problem. He upgraded his D. Maybe he can continue to do that. I'm still lukewarm on Coby, but I greatly respect your passion for resigning that kid.

One big problem. Comparison is very apt, I agree. How much did Jamal Murray just get? 4yr/$208 mill extension in 2024. Coby getting $30 mill AAV in 2026 looks like a huge paycut, doesn't it? Even if Murray is a little better, it's not much.

Looking at contracts of similar players: Jordan Poole, Jalen Green, Anfernee Simons, RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray, not seeing how $30 mill is close to Coby's max in 2026 with a good season. He's more efficient than most of those guys, and their defense isn't any better either.

Strong point, assuming we can take RJ out of it. RJ had his best season ever and his team still can't wait to get rid of him and his deal. Those other guys are fair comparisons. The question for a lukewarm on Coby guy like me, is whether we should copy what other teams are doing or look to do our own thing in favor of a stronger potential core. I'm sick of a starting line up that can't play defense given the legacy of our franchise's dynasty years. Now, would that dynamic change greatly once Vuce is gone or replaced as a starter? If Coby can be our guy on offense and hidden on defense, then resigning him suddenly looks a lot more attractive, especially considering how well paid guys with his skillset tend to be, as you point out. I may be heading to a more pro-Coby position given that. We need better team defense, and if Coby can prove that he can be hidden on defense, he will be well worth his contract.

[Chi town]

The Good News is it seems intent be Asa, Queen or Demin

I don't get that feeling at all. In fact, I don't have preconceptions about how this will shake out.

Typo fixed!

[Infinity2152]

Dayum! Strong points. Jamal Murray is not a bad comp offensively. Technically, Murray spreads it around a little better, averaging one more assist per game (4.7 vs 3.8) and about a thousand more assists per season but I think a convincing case could be made that Murray's extra assist per game comes from a function of working with better teammates instead of any real Lonzo-like or Giddey-like court vision. But I'm an old head and predictably defense is what I'm worried about most. The Jordan Pippen Harper PittBull type defense is what got us there in the past, and I know the kids love the three point bonanzas and regular 50+ point game outings of the new generation, but we can never lose sight of the fact that defense is 50 % of the game. On the flip side $30 million per year is only 15 % of the cap, which means I have no clue how contracts work these days. I remember when Jordan got $30 mil for one year. It was a big freakin deal. Coby resigned at 15 % of the cap could be worth it for the off chance that he continues to pick up his game. I think that's pretty unlikely. He's likely to become a Zach clone at best, and when I review Zach's time with us, I have to say that Zach was ultimately worth less than the sum of his parts. A cutting unfair analysis, perhaps. Jamal got 1.4 steals per game this past year, to Coby's 0.9 and while I understand that the steals stat is broken with its lack of ability to account for the times a defender got caught out of position gambling on a passing lane, I still think Coby's far more likely to be caught out of position than Jamal. Jamal's edge on steals, therefore, is a strong edge backed up by the numbers. What I enjoy about Coby on the defensive end is that he's not scared to crash the boards. For a guy his size, his defensive rebound ability has been greatly enhanced by his effort. I love that Coby's effort is never the problem. He upgraded his D. Maybe he can continue to do that. I'm still lukewarm on Coby, but I greatly respect your passion for resigning that kid.

One big problem. Comparison is very apt, I agree. How much did Jamal Murray just get? 4yr/$208 mill extension in 2024. Coby getting $30 mill AAV in 2026 looks like a huge paycut, doesn't it? Even if Murray is a little better, it's not much.

Looking at contracts of similar players: Jordan Poole, Jalen Green, Anfernee Simons, RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray, not seeing how $30 mill is close to Coby's max in 2026 with a good season. He's more efficient than most of those guys, and their defense isn't any better either.

Strong point, assuming we can take RJ out of it. RJ had his best season ever and his team still can't wait to get rid of him and his deal. Those other guys are fair comparisons. The question for a lukewarm on Coby guy like me, is whether we should copy what other teams are doing or look to do our own thing in favor of a stronger potential core. I'm sick of a starting line up that can't play defense given the legacy of our franchise's dynasty years. Now, would that dynamic change greatly once Vuce is gone or replaced as a starter? If Coby can be our guy on offense and hidden on defense, then resigning him suddenly looks a lot more attractive, especially considering how well paid guys with his skillset tend to be, as you point out. I may be heading to a more pro-Coby position given that. We need better team defense, and if Coby can prove that he can be hidden on defense, he will be well worth his contract.

Yeah, the fact that I prefer Giddey adds to that. I think Giddey can be a league average defender, but not a POA defender or that guy who can guard those little guards. Don't want to start a lineup every single game, we have no guys to guard the Curry's, Mitchell's, Morant's, Kyrie's, SGA's, etc.

We absolutely HAVE to get a plus defensive guard next to Giddey, imo. We can't hide 2 guards on defense.

Honestly, whether Coby gets $30 mill or not, he's still a bad long term pairing with Giddey.

[TheJordanRule]

One big problem. Comparison is very apt, I agree. How much did Jamal Murray just get? 4yr/$208 mill extension in 2024. Coby getting $30 mill AAV in 2026 looks like a huge paycut, doesn't it? Even if Murray is a little better, it's not much.

Looking at contracts of similar players: Jordan Poole, Jalen Green, Anfernee Simons, RJ Barrett, Jamal Murray, not seeing how $30 mill is close to Coby's max in 2026 with a good season. He's more efficient than most of those guys, and their defense isn't any better either.

Strong point, assuming we can take RJ out of it. RJ had his best season ever and his team still can't wait to get rid of him and his deal. Those other guys are fair comparisons. The question for a lukewarm on Coby guy like me, is whether we should copy what other teams are doing or look to do our own thing in favor of a stronger potential core. I'm sick of a starting line up that can't play defense given the legacy of our franchise's dynasty years. Now, would that dynamic change greatly once Vuce is gone or replaced as a starter? If Coby can be our guy on offense and hidden on defense, then resigning him suddenly looks a lot more attractive, especially considering how well paid guys with his skillset tend to be, as you point out. I may be heading to a more pro-Coby position given that. We need better team defense, and if Coby can prove that he can be hidden on defense, he will be well worth his contract.

Yeah, the fact that I prefer Giddey adds to that. I think Giddey can be a league average defender, but not a POA defender or that guy who can guard those little guards. Don't want to start a lineup every single game, we have no guys to guard the Curry's, Mitchell's, Morant's, Kyrie's, SGA's, etc.

We absolutely HAVE to get a plus defensive guard next to Giddey, imo. We can't hide 2 guards on defense.

That's what convinces me Coby at a starter's salary is out. I guess I keep going back and forth but I can't take two holes at those positions on defense, which is half the game. Plus we also have / had Vuce, so our leaky defense is / was cringeworthy.

[Infinity2152]

Strong point, assuming we can take RJ out of it. RJ had his best season ever and his team still can't wait to get rid of him and his deal. Those other guys are fair comparisons. The question for a lukewarm on Coby guy like me, is whether we should copy what other teams are doing or look to do our own thing in favor of a stronger potential core. I'm sick of a starting line up that can't play defense given the legacy of our franchise's dynasty years. Now, would that dynamic change greatly once Vuce is gone or replaced as a starter? If Coby can be our guy on offense and hidden on defense, then resigning him suddenly looks a lot more attractive, especially considering how well paid guys with his skillset tend to be, as you point out. I may be heading to a more pro-Coby position given that. We need better team defense, and if Coby can prove that he can be hidden on defense, he will be well worth his contract.

Yeah, the fact that I prefer Giddey adds to that. I think Giddey can be a league average defender, but not a POA defender or that guy who can guard those little guards. Don't want to start a lineup every single game, we have no guys to guard the Curry's, Mitchell's, Morant's, Kyrie's, SGA's, etc.

We absolutely HAVE to get a plus defensive guard next to Giddey, imo. We can't hide 2 guards on defense.

That's what convinces me Coby at a starter's salary is out. I guess I keep going back and forth but I can't take two holes at those positions on defense, which is half the game. Plus we also have / had Vuce, so our leaky defense is / was cringeworthy.

And I mean, I like Coby! I even said I'd keep him at $30 mill. And it would be a bad idea, if the plan is to start him next to Giddey. We're supposed to be thinking long-term, well built team. We rock with Giddey at PG, need to resign ourselves that we need a defensive SG.

[dawhizz]

Some late Beringer linkage to Bulls. I was trying to find footage of him actually shooting. I’m still looking.

[Chi town]

Giddey to Beringer would be electric in PNR and on the break. Kid would literally outrun the other C a ton.

Still would move back and pick up a 1st.

[Chicagoat]

CMB falling to OKC would be annoying.

[ScrantonBulls]

I can't get freaking signal on my antenna in Wicker Park. Usually have no issue.

[ChiTownHero1992]

If i was AKME, i'd be on the phone trying to get #7-9 pick while trying to keep #12. Throw basically anything at it besides Matas.

Then with the early pick you draft Maluach at 7,8 or 9. This pushes Suns and others into the C frenzy, likely dropping KJ to #12 and Bulls get both of their guys!

Pipedream to say the least but i'd be trying to make it happen. Matas/KJ/Maluach looks nice, adding in Giddey would be great at the right price too!

You have draft fever. Most of these players will be busts and are not worth trading for.

Yea but so is our entire roster minus maybe 5 guys....i'd rather take a flyer on both Maluach and KJ then basically all but GIddey, Matas and most of our future 1sts