2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[Dan Z]

New Bleacher Report mock draft.

It has Ace dropping to 6th. Malauch selected at #4.

The Bulls pick Asa Newell at #12.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25206366-2025-nba-mock-draft-updated-predictions-after-desmond-bane-trade

I doubt AK passes on Kasparas Jakucionis if available at 12 still, no way he'd pass up the Lithuanian connection.

I hope you're right (and that KJ is there at 12).

[Chi town]

Soooooo I was on nba draft net and they have Khaman Maluach falling all the way to 13

Might we still have a chance at this guy?!? I thought he was a lock in the 6-10 range

If we can land Maluach, I’m trading Vooch over to GSW for Jonathan Kuminga immediately

C Maluach
F Kuminga
F Buzelis
G White
G Giddey

That’s a big lineup and phenomenal rebuild completion

Billy plays Giddey with two guards. Never as a guard with two forwards.

While Giddey does play in more two guard lineups than two forwards, he has the most minutes by far in two forward lineups post-Lavine.

The starting lineup of Giddey, Coby, Huerter, Matas, and Vuc dominated minutes for Billy and is FIVE times the amount of minutes for Giddey's next most played lineup of Tre Jones, Coby, Giddey, Matas, and Collins.

Replacing Huerter, who is on an expiring deal, may be more important than we know. The Bulls will need to replace his low usage but efficient 3&D role that he provided post Lavine. Leads me to believe that Carter Bryant and Asa Newell (who reportedly shot very well from deep in his Bulls workout per multiple sources) are high on the Bulls boards due to this. Also makes sense why they like Drake Powell.

Uh, that’s because Zo, Ayo, and Tre were hurt.

Buz and Zo at rarely played together.
Billy never played Smith at the 4.

The guy is committed to small ball.

[nomorezorro]

newell is probably my favorite of the prospects i'm not particularly excited about, if that makes sense

i wish he showed stronger traits in college, but there's nothing to his game that makes me go "he can't work for that specific reason," and i think it's pretty easy to imagine him being a stylistic fit for Our New Direction, which the front office is apparently making a huge priority now. like going after an athlete, like going after a potential plus defender...wouldn't be hyped, but i wouldn't be mad either

[drosestruts]

I mean, he was the consensus #2 overall recruit in the country behind Flagg heading into the year, ahead of his teammate Harper. Its not like his pedigree is just based off one season at Rutgers.

He didn’t even have a bad year stats wise but by midseason his team wasnt going anywhere and hes ready to move on. Rutgers program was highly dysfunctional this year.

Look at Ant Man’s stats his one year at Georgia (40% FG, 29% 3PT, 1:1 TO/ast ratio). Georgia went 16-16. One year numbers on a bad college team don’t tell the story at all.

Ace and Harper both on Rutgers and one of them is clearly the second best prospect in this draft while the other one is sliding down the board. Would be foolish to dismiss what he did at Rutgers because he was highly ranked in HS. He leveled up in competition and completely wet the bed for a whole season.

Post NCAA season he’s continued to do everything wrong and he’s sliding down the board now. If he were great off the court and worked out for everyone and crushed his interviews he’d be climbing the board and going top 3. Million of dollars are at stake and he’s proving to be an idiot on top of everything - This kid is all red flags. Why would you willingly invite cancer into the organism ?

Ridiculous take. You realize Harper and Bailey’s production was basically the same this year? How did Bailey wet the bed and Harper didn’t?

It would be foolish to dismiss Bailey’s entire life and pedigree because his team wasn’t good in one season at Rutgers. They have zero coaching and little talent around Harper/Bailey, but likely paid him the most in NIL.

In Big 10 conference play, Bailey was the better player of the duo. Three 30+ point games in conference play. Scored double figures in 26/30 games overall. That stuff is special, you dont see that often from a freshman in the Big 10.

Further, Steph Curry refused workouts as a prospect and only worked out for 3 teams. Haliburton only worked out for ONE team (GS). Neither of those guys are “cancers”. It happens. Can you blame him if he wants to avoid going to the dreaded Charlotte, Utah, Wizards 4-6 range? GTFOH. You dont know anything about this kid.

Basically the same?

Harper scored more points on far better efficiency (58.7 vs 53.6), had a far better FTA Rate (42% vs 24.3%), a better PER (24.6 vs 19.9), a far better BPM (9.2 vs 4.5), recorded 80 more assists on the season

But sure, basically the same.

[CobysHairpick]

Billy plays Giddey with two guards. Never as a guard with two forwards.

While Giddey does play in more two guard lineups than two forwards, he has the most minutes by far in two forward lineups post-Lavine.

The starting lineup of Giddey, Coby, Huerter, Matas, and Vuc dominated minutes for Billy and is FIVE times the amount of minutes for Giddey's next most played lineup of Tre Jones, Coby, Giddey, Matas, and Collins.

Replacing Huerter, who is on an expiring deal, may be more important than we know. The Bulls will need to replace his low usage but efficient 3&D role that he provided post Lavine. Leads me to believe that Carter Bryant and Asa Newell (who reportedly shot very well from deep in his Bulls workout per multiple sources) are high on the Bulls boards due to this. Also makes sense why they like Drake Powell.

Uh, that’s because Zo, Ayo, and Tre were hurt.

Buz and Zo at rarely played together.
Billy never played Smith at the 4.

The guy is committed to small ball.

I mean either way the post Lavine Bulls were figuring out their new roles and lineups so there's no real point in making blanket statements as the team will continue to adjust the roster. Regardless, the Giddey, Coby, Huerter, Matas, and Vuc lineup was cooking under Billy so it'd make sense to continue something to that effect.

[Muzbar]

newell is probably my favorite of the prospects i'm not particularly excited about, if that makes sense

i wish he showed stronger traits in college, but there's nothing to his game that makes me go "he can't work for that specific reason," and i think it's pretty easy to imagine him being a stylistic fit for Our New Direction, which the front office is apparently making a huge priority now. like going after an athlete, like going after a potential plus defender...wouldn't be hyped, but i wouldn't be mad either

I get it.

Newell is on my do not want list, but he's the one I'd be most OK with drafting if he was picked. He'll be an NBA player no doubt, but I feel like he'll be 'just a guy' if that makes sense. He reminds me or Wendell Carter in that regard.

[2weekswithpay]

I mean, he was the consensus #2 overall recruit in the country behind Flagg heading into the year, ahead of his teammate Harper. Its not like his pedigree is just based off one season at Rutgers.

He didn’t even have a bad year stats wise but by midseason his team wasnt going anywhere and hes ready to move on. Rutgers program was highly dysfunctional this year.

Look at Ant Man’s stats his one year at Georgia (40% FG, 29% 3PT, 1:1 TO/ast ratio). Georgia went 16-16. One year numbers on a bad college team don’t tell the story at all.

Ace and Harper both on Rutgers and one of them is clearly the second best prospect in this draft while the other one is sliding down the board. Would be foolish to dismiss what he did at Rutgers because he was highly ranked in HS. He leveled up in competition and completely wet the bed for a whole season.

Post NCAA season he’s continued to do everything wrong and he’s sliding down the board now. If he were great off the court and worked out for everyone and crushed his interviews he’d be climbing the board and going top 3. Million of dollars are at stake and he’s proving to be an idiot on top of everything - This kid is all red flags. Why would you willingly invite cancer into the organism ?

Ridiculous take. You realize Harper and Bailey’s production was basically the same this year? How did Bailey wet the bed and Harper didn’t?

It would be foolish to dismiss Bailey’s entire life and pedigree because his team wasn’t good in one season at Rutgers. They have zero coaching and little talent around Harper/Bailey, but likely paid him the most in NIL.

In Big 10 conference play, Bailey was the better player of the duo. Three 30+ point games in conference play. Scored double figures in 26/30 games overall. That stuff is special, you dont see that often from a freshman in the Big 10.

Further, Steph Curry refused workouts as a prospect and only worked out for 3 teams. Haliburton only worked out for ONE team (GS). Neither of those guys are “cancers”. It happens. Can you blame him if he wants to avoid going to the dreaded Charlotte, Utah, Wizards 4-6 range? GTFOH. You dont know anything about this kid.

Their production wasn't the same, though. Harper is in another tier on offense.

Most fans do not care about high school pedigree for good reason. It's an inferior level of competition, and one season in college is likely a better indicator of success.

[boozapalooza]

Ace and Harper both on Rutgers and one of them is clearly the second best prospect in this draft while the other one is sliding down the board. Would be foolish to dismiss what he did at Rutgers because he was highly ranked in HS. He leveled up in competition and completely wet the bed for a whole season.

Post NCAA season he’s continued to do everything wrong and he’s sliding down the board now. If he were great off the court and worked out for everyone and crushed his interviews he’d be climbing the board and going top 3. Million of dollars are at stake and he’s proving to be an idiot on top of everything - This kid is all red flags. Why would you willingly invite cancer into the organism ?

Ridiculous take. You realize Harper and Bailey’s production was basically the same this year? How did Bailey wet the bed and Harper didn’t?

It would be foolish to dismiss Bailey’s entire life and pedigree because his team wasn’t good in one season at Rutgers. They have zero coaching and little talent around Harper/Bailey, but likely paid him the most in NIL.

In Big 10 conference play, Bailey was the better player of the duo. Three 30+ point games in conference play. Scored double figures in 26/30 games overall. That stuff is special, you dont see that often from a freshman in the Big 10.

Further, Steph Curry refused workouts as a prospect and only worked out for 3 teams. Haliburton only worked out for ONE team (GS). Neither of those guys are “cancers”. It happens. Can you blame him if he wants to avoid going to the dreaded Charlotte, Utah, Wizards 4-6 range? GTFOH. You dont know anything about this kid.

Basically the same?

Harper scored more points on far better efficiency (58.7 vs 53.6), had a far better FTA Rate (42% vs 24.3%), a better PER (24.6 vs 19.9), a far better BPM (9.2 vs 4.5), recorded 80 more assists on the season

But sure, basically the same.

And Bailey scored 1.5ppg less, had a a better 3PT %, 100 more rebounds, more blocks, less turnovers, etc. We can both cherry pick stats and 30 games on a dysfunctional team is a small sample size.

They play different positions and its more difficult for freshman wings to put up big numbers than 6’6 freshman guards who come in with a size advantage. You draft Ace for what he can become as he continues growing and putting on muscle, a la Matas. Not hard to comprehend.

[TheJordanRule]

Billy plays Giddey with two guards. Never as a guard with two forwards.

While Giddey does play in more two guard lineups than two forwards, he has the most minutes by far in two forward lineups post-Lavine.

The starting lineup of Giddey, Coby, Huerter, Matas, and Vuc dominated minutes for Billy and is FIVE times the amount of minutes for Giddey's next most played lineup of Tre Jones, Coby, Giddey, Matas, and Collins.

Replacing Huerter, who is on an expiring deal, may be more important than we know. The Bulls will need to replace his low usage but efficient 3&D role that he provided post Lavine. Leads me to believe that Carter Bryant and Asa Newell (who reportedly shot very well from deep in his Bulls workout per multiple sources) are high on the Bulls boards due to this. Also makes sense why they like Drake Powell.

Uh, that’s because Zo, Ayo, and Tre were hurt.

Buz and Zo at rarely played together.
Billy never played Smith at the 4.

The guy is committed to small ball.

It would be a clown show with Giddey at either guard spot. He can't guard those guys unless they're abnormally slow SGs and PGs. Love, love, love the idea of grabbing Maluach and sending Vuce packing. But Buz at SF, Giddey at PG? Oof.

[kodo]

New Bleacher Report mock draft.

It has Ace dropping to 6th. Malauch selected at #4.

The Bulls pick Asa Newell at #12.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25206366-2025-nba-mock-draft-updated-predictions-after-desmond-bane-trade

I doubt AK passes on Kasparas Jakucionis if available at 12 still, no way he'd pass up the Lithuanian connection.

Agreed no chance we'll pass on him. KJ is also exactly AK's kind of player as well, excellent rebounder & passer for a guard. He even has the weakness AK likes, low 3P shooting but with great indicators of future 3P ability (84% FT shooter).

[kodo]

People also need to realize that Bulls and AKME last year took Matas and he didnt do single workout for Bulls. Bulls will take him if he is there.

Matas met w/ the Bulls and worked out.

“Sources say Buzelis' hometown team, the Chicago Bulls, watched him work out privately in Los Angeles early in the pre-draft process," Givony wrote. "Chicago has shown a willingness to explore moving up in the draft for the right price. The Bulls' Lithuanian president, Arturas Karnisovas, has extensive knowledge of Buzelis, who is also Lithuanian.”

I think this was Givony, this led to the rumors that we were going to trade up in last year's draft which didn't happen but Matas fell to us by luck.

[Chi town]

While Giddey does play in more two guard lineups than two forwards, he has the most minutes by far in two forward lineups post-Lavine.

The starting lineup of Giddey, Coby, Huerter, Matas, and Vuc dominated minutes for Billy and is FIVE times the amount of minutes for Giddey's next most played lineup of Tre Jones, Coby, Giddey, Matas, and Collins.

Replacing Huerter, who is on an expiring deal, may be more important than we know. The Bulls will need to replace his low usage but efficient 3&D role that he provided post Lavine. Leads me to believe that Carter Bryant and Asa Newell (who reportedly shot very well from deep in his Bulls workout per multiple sources) are high on the Bulls boards due to this. Also makes sense why they like Drake Powell.

Uh, that’s because Zo, Ayo, and Tre were hurt.

Buz and Zo at rarely played together.
Billy never played Smith at the 4.

The guy is committed to small ball.

It would be a clown show with Giddey at either guard spot. He can't guard those guys unless they're abnormally slow SGs and PGs. Love, love, love the idea of grabbing Maluach and sending Vuce packing. But Buz at SF, Giddey at PG? Oof.

I agree. Giddey will always defend the lesser wing.

[Chi town]

New Bleacher Report mock draft.

It has Ace dropping to 6th. Malauch selected at #4.

The Bulls pick Asa Newell at #12.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25206366-2025-nba-mock-draft-updated-predictions-after-desmond-bane-trade

I doubt AK passes on Kasparas Jakucionis if available at 12 still, no way he'd pass up the Lithuanian connection.

Agreed no chance we'll pass on him. KJ is also exactly AK's kind of player as well, excellent rebounder & passer for a guard. He even has the weakness AK likes, low 3P shooting but with great indicators of future 3P ability (84% FT shooter).

KJ was strong shooter before the injury. AK will pick him if there.

Ace won’t drop past 6.

AK would def trade up to get him.

[Dan Z]

I doubt AK passes on Kasparas Jakucionis if available at 12 still, no way he'd pass up the Lithuanian connection.

Agreed no chance we'll pass on him. KJ is also exactly AK's kind of player as well, excellent rebounder & passer for a guard. He even has the weakness AK likes, low 3P shooting but with great indicators of future 3P ability (84% FT shooter).

KJ was strong shooter before the injury. AK will pick him if there.

Ace won’t drop past 6.

AK would def trade up to get him.

Would you give up future assets to move up to get Ace?

[Muzbar]

Agreed no chance we'll pass on him. KJ is also exactly AK's kind of player as well, excellent rebounder & passer for a guard. He even has the weakness AK likes, low 3P shooting but with great indicators of future 3P ability (84% FT shooter).

KJ was strong shooter before the injury. AK will pick him if there.

Ace won’t drop past 6.

AK would def trade up to get him.

Would you give up future assets to move up to get Ace?

I know the question wasn't addressed to me, but I want to add my 2 cents.

Personally, I wouldn't trade up for Ace and I like him.

Matas was my number 1 guy last year and I didn't want the Bulls to trade up for him either (especially in that craptacular draft class).

There's definitely concerns with Bailey and that alone is a reason I wouldn't give up potentially future assets that would likely be required.

[Red8911]

New Bleacher Report mock draft.

It has Ace dropping to 6th. Malauch selected at #4.

The Bulls pick Asa Newell at #12.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25206366-2025-nba-mock-draft-updated-predictions-after-desmond-bane-trade

I doubt AK passes on Kasparas Jakucionis if available at 12 still, no way he'd pass up the Lithuanian connection.

I agree, does anyone know if the Bulls have done a workout with Jakucionis???

[burlydee]

Billy plays Giddey with two guards. Never as a guard with two forwards.

While Giddey does play in more two guard lineups than two forwards, he has the most minutes by far in two forward lineups post-Lavine.

The starting lineup of Giddey, Coby, Huerter, Matas, and Vuc dominated minutes for Billy and is FIVE times the amount of minutes for Giddey's next most played lineup of Tre Jones, Coby, Giddey, Matas, and Collins.

Replacing Huerter, who is on an expiring deal, may be more important than we know. The Bulls will need to replace his low usage but efficient 3&D role that he provided post Lavine. Leads me to believe that Carter Bryant and Asa Newell (who reportedly shot very well from deep in his Bulls workout per multiple sources) are high on the Bulls boards due to this. Also makes sense why they like Drake Powell.

Uh, that’s because Zo, Ayo, and Tre were hurt.

Buz and Zo at rarely played together.
Billy never played Smith at the 4.

The guy is committed to small ball.

Its a bad strategy and I hope he doesn't stick to it. Giddey played better in lineups with one guard. Tre/Ayo, Giddey and Coby starting is coaching malpractice.

[Dan Z]

While Giddey does play in more two guard lineups than two forwards, he has the most minutes by far in two forward lineups post-Lavine.

The starting lineup of Giddey, Coby, Huerter, Matas, and Vuc dominated minutes for Billy and is FIVE times the amount of minutes for Giddey's next most played lineup of Tre Jones, Coby, Giddey, Matas, and Collins.

Replacing Huerter, who is on an expiring deal, may be more important than we know. The Bulls will need to replace his low usage but efficient 3&D role that he provided post Lavine. Leads me to believe that Carter Bryant and Asa Newell (who reportedly shot very well from deep in his Bulls workout per multiple sources) are high on the Bulls boards due to this. Also makes sense why they like Drake Powell.

Uh, that’s because Zo, Ayo, and Tre were hurt.

Buz and Zo at rarely played together.
Billy never played Smith at the 4.

The guy is committed to small ball.

Its a bad strategy and I hope he doesn't stick to it. Giddey played better in lineups with one guard. Tre/Ayo, Giddey and Coby starting is coaching malpractice.

I thought Coby and Giddey both were starters this past season...?

[Chi town]

Agreed no chance we'll pass on him. KJ is also exactly AK's kind of player as well, excellent rebounder & passer for a guard. He even has the weakness AK likes, low 3P shooting but with great indicators of future 3P ability (84% FT shooter).

KJ was strong shooter before the injury. AK will pick him if there.

Ace won’t drop past 6.

AK would def trade up to get him.

Would you give up future assets to move up to get Ace?

I’d pick Noa over Ace. I don’t trust Ace’s mental makeup. Too loose. I think Noa is built like Buz upstairs. Aggressive and confident. Ace is low IQ on offense and irrational confidence on O.

[kulaz3000]

If Ace falls within a range where the Bulls are willing to go up in the draft with moderate compensation, though there is a risk he won't fail, I wouldn't be mad at the gamble. He is exactly the type of player you take a gamble on, and hope that it all works out, which is why I'd be surprised if he falls and the team that was willing to trade down with the Bulls, just don't gamble on Ace themselves.

He has the potential to be the best player in this draft class, but he is also someone who could bust out of the league. I'd be nervous as hell to draft him, but if AK somehow pulls it off, I'd applaud him for taking that gamble and pray that it works out. Because I'd much rather take a gamble on a young prospect, over continuing to sign or trade for older veteran players at this stage of team building.