2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[Chi town]

Read on Twitter

Probably goes top 10.

My guy is gonezo.

Probably goes 6-8 now.

Could push KJ down to us though.

[HomoSapien]

So many mocks have Traore falling out of the lottery. I haven't watched much on him because I assumed he would be long gone but it's starting to seem like he could be in the mix at 12.

[Dan Z]

I like his potential. If he's there at 12 I'd be okay with the Bulls drafting him.

Right now this is Tankathon's mock:
Flagg
Harper
Bailey
VJ
Fears
Tre Johnson
Kon
KJ
Malauch
CMB
Noa Essenge (at 11 to Portland).

I think there's a chance he's there at 12.

I have Noa in my top 3 at #12. He'd be a very solid pick up.

I feel like I am in a solo camp here, but when I watch Essengue, I see a poor man's Rasheer Fleming. He may be more athetic and younger, but to the eyes, Flemming does everything Essengue does, but better... AND he's longer with a 3 ball that is miles ahead of Noa.

Will not be mad at Essengue at #12. Just will never forget these draft thoughts if Fleming becomes Naz Reid and how much he could help Buzelis develop.

EDIT: Breaking down side by side comparison via NBA Daft.net.

CATEGORY/ESSENGUE/FLEMING
Athleticism 8/9 FLEMING
Size 9/9 WASH
Defense 8/8 WASH
Strength 7/8 FLEMING
Quickness 8/8 WASH
Leadership 7/6 ESSENGUE
Jump Shot 7/8 FLEMING
NBA Ready 7/8 FLEMING
Ball Handling 8 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
REBOUNDING 8 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Potential 8/8
Passing 7 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
Post Skills 7 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Intangibles 8/7 ESSENGUE

OVERALL
ESSENGUE - 92
FLEMING - 94

Do I need my 4 to have leadership, ball handling, and passing skills? Not really. I much rather have athleticism, length, rebounding, 3 point shooting, and post skills, but that's just me.

If the Bulls are going to be a running team (and it seems like that's the plan based on the 2nd half of the season) then ball handling and passing are important.

Fleming is two years older than Noa so his three point shooting and post skills should be better.

Having said that I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

[BullsSD]

I have Noa in my top 3 at #12. He'd be a very solid pick up.

I feel like I am in a solo camp here, but when I watch Essengue, I see a poor man's Rasheer Fleming. He may be more athetic and younger, but to the eyes, Flemming does everything Essengue does, but better... AND he's longer with a 3 ball that is miles ahead of Noa.

Will not be mad at Essengue at #12. Just will never forget these draft thoughts if Fleming becomes Naz Reid and how much he could help Buzelis develop.

EDIT: Breaking down side by side comparison via NBA Daft.net.

CATEGORY/ESSENGUE/FLEMING
Athleticism 8/9 FLEMING
Size 9/9 WASH
Defense 8/8 WASH
Strength 7/8 FLEMING
Quickness 8/8 WASH
Leadership 7/6 ESSENGUE
Jump Shot 7/8 FLEMING
NBA Ready 7/8 FLEMING
Ball Handling 8 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
REBOUNDING 8 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Potential 8/8
Passing 7 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
Post Skills 7 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Intangibles 8/7 ESSENGUE

OVERALL
ESSENGUE - 92
FLEMING - 94

Do I need my 4 to have leadership, ball handling, and passing skills? Not really. I much rather have athleticism, length, rebounding, 3 point shooting, and post skills, but that's just me.

If the Bulls are going to be a running team (and it seems like that's the plan based on the 2nd half of the season) then ball handling and passing are important.

Fleming is two years older than Noa so his three point shooting and post skills should be better.

Having said that I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

With this logic, I assume you have Demin and Wolf very high on your draft board too?

Playing Noa with Buzelis basically puts all of the outside shooting needs squarely on Coby's shoulders. If Giddey is sub par from 3, and our SF in Buzelis is also pretty sub par (can make a wide open spot up, that's about it), the 4 has to be a knock down shooter or it simply won't work.

Noa is so similar to Buzelis that picking Noa makes both of them far more risky back to back picks than their potential would suggest. If Noa busts, it would be like P Will/Terry all over again, just at a different position.

[Bulldog23]

Nets, Raptors, and Blazers will take a chance on Cedric and Noa...the Bulls won't get the opportunity I feel. I remember when Jalen William was mocked between 15 and 18..thought Bulls had a chance. Okc sweeped in and drafted him.

[Dan Z]

I feel like I am in a solo camp here, but when I watch Essengue, I see a poor man's Rasheer Fleming. He may be more athetic and younger, but to the eyes, Flemming does everything Essengue does, but better... AND he's longer with a 3 ball that is miles ahead of Noa.

Will not be mad at Essengue at #12. Just will never forget these draft thoughts if Fleming becomes Naz Reid and how much he could help Buzelis develop.

EDIT: Breaking down side by side comparison via NBA Daft.net.

CATEGORY/ESSENGUE/FLEMING
Athleticism 8/9 FLEMING
Size 9/9 WASH
Defense 8/8 WASH
Strength 7/8 FLEMING
Quickness 8/8 WASH
Leadership 7/6 ESSENGUE
Jump Shot 7/8 FLEMING
NBA Ready 7/8 FLEMING
Ball Handling 8 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
REBOUNDING 8 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Potential 8/8
Passing 7 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
Post Skills 7 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Intangibles 8/7 ESSENGUE

OVERALL
ESSENGUE - 92
FLEMING - 94

Do I need my 4 to have leadership, ball handling, and passing skills? Not really. I much rather have athleticism, length, rebounding, 3 point shooting, and post skills, but that's just me.

If the Bulls are going to be a running team (and it seems like that's the plan based on the 2nd half of the season) then ball handling and passing are important.

Fleming is two years older than Noa so his three point shooting and post skills should be better.

Having said that I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

With this logic, I assume you have Demin and Wolf very high on your draft board too?

Playing Noa with Buzelis basically puts all of the outside shooting needs squarely on Coby's shoulders. If Giddey is sub par from 3, and our SF in Buzelis is also pretty sub par (can make a wide open spot up, that's about it), the 4 has to be a knock down shooter or it simply won't work.

Noa is so similar to Buzelis that picking Noa makes both of them far more risky back to back picks than their potential would suggest. If Noa busts, it would be like P Will/Terry all over again, just at a different position.

Noa is 19 years old. If they draft him you hope that his shooting improves. Fleming improved his shooting during his three years in college.

Buzelis shot well from three for a rookie and the idea is that he'll continue to improve. Last year he shot .361 on 3.3 attempts. As for Giddey I don't think he'll regress, but who knows.

They also have Huerter who shot .371 on 7.2 attempts per game.

Like I said...I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

I'm not sold on Denim, but I understand the idea that Duck has talked about here on the boards (a team of players who know how to pass). Wolf I like less so and don't think the Bulls should draft him at 12.

[2weekswithpay]

I like his potential. If he's there at 12 I'd be okay with the Bulls drafting him.

Right now this is Tankathon's mock:
Flagg
Harper
Bailey
VJ
Fears
Tre Johnson
Kon
KJ
Malauch
CMB
Noa Essenge (at 11 to Portland).

I think there's a chance he's there at 12.

I have Noa in my top 3 at #12. He'd be a very solid pick up.

I feel like I am in a solo camp here, but when I watch Essengue, I see a poor man's Rasheer Fleming. He may be more athetic and younger, but to the eyes, Flemming does everything Essengue does, but better... AND he's longer with a 3 ball that is miles ahead of Noa.

Will not be mad at Essengue at #12. Just will never forget these draft thoughts if Fleming becomes Naz Reid and how much he could help Buzelis develop.

EDIT: Breaking down side by side comparison via NBA Daft.net.

CATEGORY/ESSENGUE/FLEMING
Athleticism 8/9 FLEMING
Size 9/9 WASH
Defense 8/8 WASH
Strength 7/8 FLEMING
Quickness 8/8 WASH
Leadership 7/6 ESSENGUE
Jump Shot 7/8 FLEMING
NBA Ready 7/8 FLEMING
Ball Handling 8 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
REBOUNDING 8 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Potential 8/8
Passing 7 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
Post Skills 7 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Intangibles 8/7 ESSENGUE

OVERALL
ESSENGUE - 92
FLEMING - 94

Do I need my 4 to have leadership, ball handling, and passing skills? Not really. I much rather have athleticism, length, rebounding, 3 point shooting, and post skills, but that's just me.

Kind of. Every team that made it to the second round in this year's playoffs starting PF could either dribble or pass.

Tatum
Siakam
Mobley
OG
Gordon
Chet/Hartenstein
Randle
Draymond/Butler

[ThisGuyFawkes]

Noa has been my guy throughout the process so far. To be honest, I haven't watched any Fleming videos or breakdowns so I might be missing something. In fact, I'll do that right now. I feel like AKME aren't going to have a rim-protecting center on the roster so we might need it from our wings. Matas was a great start.

Edit: Just watched a Fleming breakdown. He does some stuff really well but he won't be our pick. He's an atrocious passer and 80% of his "highlight" blocks came against small white dudes from VCU and American (is that a real college?).

[GuardianEnzo]

Noa is my guy but the league seems to have figured out his potential too soon for us - he's as good as gone.

I love Traore but if you take him at 12, you're going to get roasted for reaching. If he's the guy then you could trade back to 18-20 and probably still get him.

[Chi town]

If the Bulls are going to be a running team (and it seems like that's the plan based on the 2nd half of the season) then ball handling and passing are important.

Fleming is two years older than Noa so his three point shooting and post skills should be better.

Having said that I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

With this logic, I assume you have Demin and Wolf very high on your draft board too?

Playing Noa with Buzelis basically puts all of the outside shooting needs squarely on Coby's shoulders. If Giddey is sub par from 3, and our SF in Buzelis is also pretty sub par (can make a wide open spot up, that's about it), the 4 has to be a knock down shooter or it simply won't work.

Noa is so similar to Buzelis that picking Noa makes both of them far more risky back to back picks than their potential would suggest. If Noa busts, it would be like P Will/Terry all over again, just at a different position.

Noa is 19 years old. If they draft him you hope that his shooting improves. Fleming improved his shooting during his three years in college.

Buzelis shot well from three for a rookie and the idea is that he'll continue to improve. Last year he shot .361 on 3.3 attempts. As for Giddey I don't think he'll regress, but who knows.

They also have Huerter who shot .371 on 7.2 attempts per game.

Like I said...I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

I'm not sold on Denim, but I understand the idea that Duck has talked about here on the boards (a team of players who know how to pass). Wolf I like less so and don't think the Bulls should draft him at 12.

Yep.

I trust in Buz’s shot. He upped the volume and percentage after the trade deadline and he’s a great FT shooter. I project him as a plus shooter in high volume as he takes and makes contested shots without any hesitation and shoots over defenders with his length. Opposite of Pat who only shoots wide open 3s and hesitates when he’s just open.

Noa may never be a plus shooter but his form looks really solid and fluid. He played most of this season as a 17 year old against pros. He just had the two game winning buckets in OT in the playoffs. No way he lasts till 12.

He and Buz compliment each other really well and would be an absolute menace on D with deflections and blocks. I think it would equate to elite rim protection with them on the court and a shooting C like Jalen Smith.

Billy always plays guards over wings so I’d expect Noa in time to get some mins at the 5.

My dream draft is Noa and Small in the 2nd.

Expect it to be more like Coward and Rocco which I’d be happy with but more lower ceilings.

[Dan Z]

With this logic, I assume you have Demin and Wolf very high on your draft board too?

Playing Noa with Buzelis basically puts all of the outside shooting needs squarely on Coby's shoulders. If Giddey is sub par from 3, and our SF in Buzelis is also pretty sub par (can make a wide open spot up, that's about it), the 4 has to be a knock down shooter or it simply won't work.

Noa is so similar to Buzelis that picking Noa makes both of them far more risky back to back picks than their potential would suggest. If Noa busts, it would be like P Will/Terry all over again, just at a different position.

Noa is 19 years old. If they draft him you hope that his shooting improves. Fleming improved his shooting during his three years in college.

Buzelis shot well from three for a rookie and the idea is that he'll continue to improve. Last year he shot .361 on 3.3 attempts. As for Giddey I don't think he'll regress, but who knows.

They also have Huerter who shot .371 on 7.2 attempts per game.

Like I said...I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

I'm not sold on Denim, but I understand the idea that Duck has talked about here on the boards (a team of players who know how to pass). Wolf I like less so and don't think the Bulls should draft him at 12.

Yep.

I trust in Buz’s shot. He upped the volume and percentage after the trade deadline and he’s a great FT shooter. I project him as a plus shooter in high volume as he takes and makes contested shots without any hesitation and shoots over defenders with his length. Opposite of Pat who only shoots wide open 3s and hesitates when he’s just open.

Noa may never be a plus shooter but his form looks really solid and fluid. He played most of this season as a 17 year old against pros. He just had the two game winning buckets in OT in the playoffs. No way he lasts till 12.

He and Buz compliment each other really well and would be an absolute menace on D with deflections and blocks. I think it would equate to elite rim protection with them on the court and a shooting C like Jalen Smith.

Billy always plays guards over wings so I’d expect Noa in time to get some mins at the 5.

My dream draft is Noa and Small in the 2nd.

Expect it to be more like Coward and Rocco which I’d be happy with but more lower ceilings.

I think there's a chance that Noa is there at 12. Tankathon's mock draft is:
Flagg
Harper
Ace
VJ
Fears
Tre Johnson
Kon
KJ
Malauch
CMB
Noa
Queen (Bulls pick).

Maybe someone like Demin, Coward or Newell moves up? If so Noa might drop a spot (which would be enough for the Bulls to draft him).

I've seen a few mocks that have the Bulls drafting Queen. Maybe he surprises me, but he wouldn't be my choice.

[Jvaughn]

So many mocks have Traore falling out of the lottery. I haven't watched much on him because I assumed he would be long gone but it's starting to seem like he could be in the mix at 12.

Honestly, I think Traore will be available until the 20s. The lack of improvement from last year has teams hesitant to bet on his development.

[sco]

Noa is 19 years old. If they draft him you hope that his shooting improves. Fleming improved his shooting during his three years in college.

Buzelis shot well from three for a rookie and the idea is that he'll continue to improve. Last year he shot .361 on 3.3 attempts. As for Giddey I don't think he'll regress, but who knows.

They also have Huerter who shot .371 on 7.2 attempts per game.

Like I said...I like Fleming too and would be okay with the Bulls drafting either player.

I'm not sold on Denim, but I understand the idea that Duck has talked about here on the boards (a team of players who know how to pass). Wolf I like less so and don't think the Bulls should draft him at 12.

Yep.

I trust in Buz’s shot. He upped the volume and percentage after the trade deadline and he’s a great FT shooter. I project him as a plus shooter in high volume as he takes and makes contested shots without any hesitation and shoots over defenders with his length. Opposite of Pat who only shoots wide open 3s and hesitates when he’s just open.

Noa may never be a plus shooter but his form looks really solid and fluid. He played most of this season as a 17 year old against pros. He just had the two game winning buckets in OT in the playoffs. No way he lasts till 12.

He and Buz compliment each other really well and would be an absolute menace on D with deflections and blocks. I think it would equate to elite rim protection with them on the court and a shooting C like Jalen Smith.

Billy always plays guards over wings so I’d expect Noa in time to get some mins at the 5.

My dream draft is Noa and Small in the 2nd.

Expect it to be more like Coward and Rocco which I’d be happy with but more lower ceilings.

I think there's a chance that Noa is there at 12. Tankathon's mock draft is:
Flagg
Harper
Ace
VJ
Fears
Tre Johnson
Kon
KJ
Malauch
CMB
Noa
Queen (Bulls pick).

Maybe someone like Demin, Coward or Newell moves up? If so Noa might drop a spot (which would be enough for the Bulls to draft him).

I've seen a few mocks that have the Bulls drafting Queen. Maybe he surprises me, but he wouldn't be my choice.

Yeah, at this point, I'm rooting hard that Demin moves ahead of us and that the rumors are true that we don't want Queen. If true then I feel like the lotto board will have saved us from ourselves and we'd ALMOST be forced to draft someone I felt good about.

[othawhitemeat]

I have Noa in my top 3 at #12. He'd be a very solid pick up.

I feel like I am in a solo camp here, but when I watch Essengue, I see a poor man's Rasheer Fleming. He may be more athetic and younger, but to the eyes, Flemming does everything Essengue does, but better... AND he's longer with a 3 ball that is miles ahead of Noa.

Will not be mad at Essengue at #12. Just will never forget these draft thoughts if Fleming becomes Naz Reid and how much he could help Buzelis develop.

EDIT: Breaking down side by side comparison via NBA Daft.net.

CATEGORY/ESSENGUE/FLEMING
Athleticism 8/9 FLEMING
Size 9/9 WASH
Defense 8/8 WASH
Strength 7/8 FLEMING
Quickness 8/8 WASH
Leadership 7/6 ESSENGUE
Jump Shot 7/8 FLEMING
NBA Ready 7/8 FLEMING
Ball Handling 8 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
REBOUNDING 8 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Potential 8/8
Passing 7 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
Post Skills 7 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Intangibles 8/7 ESSENGUE

OVERALL
ESSENGUE - 92
FLEMING - 94

Do I need my 4 to have leadership, ball handling, and passing skills? Not really. I much rather have athleticism, length, rebounding, 3 point shooting, and post skills, but that's just me.

Kind of. Every team that made it to the second round in this year's playoffs starting PF could either dribble or pass.

Tatum
Siakam
Mobley
OG
Gordon
Chet/Hartenstein
Randle
Draymond/Butler

I do like Fleming's game from what I have watched, and more research. I can see him being a steal. I will just list players I don't really care for below with our pick, lol.

Wolf - sorry but he just seems soft when I watched him play - very skilled and a lot of versatility but the dude needs to get tougher.
Richardson - his measurements destroyed his value, imo. If he was 2 inches taller, I would think he could be a Joe Dumars type or such, but with more athleticism
Demin - I know we are rumored with him - I really hope that is a bluff
Queen - He is very skilled, but I struggle w/ players that have conditioning/motivation issues - Have seen some turn it around - Jokic, Diaw, etc. However, many more that have faded out versus make it work.
McNeeley - can shoot, but just so-so on everything else

Lukewarm - Carter Bryant - athletic and could be a 3-and-d but can he pass and can he shoot well enough from 3?
Murray-Boyles - undersized height wise and has some Draymond to him but more sane, but is he Draymond or another tweener?

[Chi town]

Still believe one of my guys will drop to us…

KJ Noa or Coward.

At this point think only Coward may be left. He would be an excellent fit next to Coby and Giddey.

My best case is Noa and Small.

Next is Coward Rocco.

[sco]

Still believe one of my guys will drop to us…

KJ Noa or Coward.

At this point think only Coward may be left. He would be an excellent fit next to Coby and Giddey.

My best case is Noa and Small.

Next is Coward Rocco.

I'd be fine with any of them, or Fleming. I could squint an be ok with Bryant or Powell.

[Jcool0]

EDIT: Breaking down side by side comparison via NBA Daft.net.

CATEGORY/ESSENGUE/FLEMING
Athleticism 8/9 FLEMING
Size 9/9 WASH
Defense 8/8 WASH
Strength 7/8 FLEMING
Quickness 8/8 WASH
Leadership 7/6 ESSENGUE
Jump Shot 7/8 FLEMING
NBA Ready 7/8 FLEMING
Ball Handling 8 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
REBOUNDING 8 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Potential 8/8
Passing 7 ESSENGUE (NO FLEMING SCORE)
Post Skills 7 FLEMING (NO ESSENGUE SCORE)
Intangibles 8/7 ESSENGUE

OVERALL
ESSENGUE - 92
FLEMING - 94

Do I need my 4 to have leadership, ball handling, and passing skills? Not really. I much rather have athleticism, length, rebounding, 3 point shooting, and post skills, but that's just me.

This numbers/rankings are meaningless because as far as i can tell they have never explain how they come to those arbitrary numbers or who is the one making those rankings. NBA Draft Net was great when the only free draft content was them and Draft Express (before he left for ESPN & shut that site down). But Draft Net hasn't changed in 20 years and a lot of better draft content is out there now.

[HomoSapien]

Starting to feeling like Essengue will be gone, but I think we'll have a chance at Traore. Started watching some tape on him and I'm not sure I get the hype. He seems like a good passer and is quick, but everything else seems somewhat shaky. I'd be nervous that this would be another Teague or Killian Hayes type of pick. Still, I think we have to take big swings when we can.

[Guru]

Still believe one of my guys will drop to us…

KJ Noa or Coward.

At this point think only Coward may be left. He would be an excellent fit next to Coby and Giddey.

My best case is Noa and Small.

Next is Coward Rocco.

ITs hard for me to wrap my head around Coward with so few meaningful games.

[Jcool0]

So many mocks have Traore falling out of the lottery. I haven't watched much on him because I assumed he would be long gone but it's starting to seem like he could be in the mix at 12.

Bulls wouldn't be a good fit:

To reach that ceiling, Traore must land in the right context immediately. It’ll do him or his team no good to have him languish in a bench role or play off another lead ball-handler. No, to see the most from Nolan Traore’s future, a team must put the ball in his hands and let him play through the volatility. It’ll lead to some ugly initial offense, but the beauty of his screen navigation and dime finding will turn the tide quicker than most.

Although it’s a rare role for a player not drafted in the lottery, Traore can only succeed if a swath of possessions is allowed. His spot-up shooting is potentially a boon for an offense, but his speed and decision-making are much more important than what he can do with the ball out of his hands. That development will be necessary too, as Traore likely lacks the overall athleticism to become a heliocentric superstar, but his on-ball production is paramount to his NBA success.

https://www.noceilingsnba.com/p/buying-the-dip-with-nolan-traore