2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[Chi town]

It would be like drafting a more athletic Dalen Terry.

He can shoot it. That’s a difference. Problem is I don’t trust the shot and the rest of the offense looked mechanical. Maybe he was used wrong, it happens. But really when watching the tape I was surprised he was a 5 star recruit.

Nice defense though.

Watching that video, I was totally loving the kid. Feisty defender, high IQ on defense and off-ball offense. Then you see that shot and you cringe a little each time you see that hitch.

I'm not sure where he should go in the draft. I guess you take him hoping he turns into a SGA clone.

SGA was the lead handler in college. He flashed a ton on ball.

Drake will work out that hitch. I trust his shot I just don’t think he will ever have much volume.

Coward is light years ahead on offense and his shot looks like it could be ++. He won’t do much on ball but I think he could become a movement shooter which levels him big time.

I take Coward over Drake all day.

[Chi town]

I think Bulls can pretty easily trade for late 1st with the POR pick or Zo.

Five teams have more than one 1st.

If Lonzo does stay healthy and play well I think he’s a pretty good trade chip at the deadline though due to play and contract.

[Jvaughn]

I think the Bulls are going to draft Sorber at 12 and figure they have their C set for the next 10 years. Then trade Vuc for a vet 3 n D wing. Then use 45 for reach or a Euro draft and stash. There’s an outside chance they try to trade up to early 2nd round for someone they feel is a steal.

I can't get over my WCJ vibes. I just really see that scenario going down again. I don't think Sorber has the shooting potential WCJ did though. Idk at this point. Why is the draft 3 weeks away!!!!

[Almost Retired]

I think the Bulls are going to draft Sorber at 12 and figure they have their C set for the next 10 years. Then trade Vuc for a vet 3 n D wing. Then use 45 for reach or a Euro draft and stash. There’s an outside chance they try to trade up to early 2nd round for someone they feel is a steal.

I can't get over my WCJ vibes. I just really see that scenario going down again. I don't think Sorber has the shooting potential WCJ did though. Idk at this point. Why is the draft 3 weeks away!!!!

I'd be happy with either Sorber or Kalkbrenner on a trade down. Sorber is younger and has a nice wingspan that allows him to play above his height. Kalkbrenner is older, more experienced, and would be ready to play meaningful minutes sooner. The more I've watched Kalkbrenner the more I think he'd be a positive addition. He a Giddy could develop into a good lob tandem. My guess is Sorber goes between 15 and 20 while Kalkbrenner gets drafted between 19 and 27. If we could get Brooklyn's #19 and #26 for our #12 and #45 we could possibly grab Fleming and Kalkbrenner and our defense in the paint would be vastly improved.

[League Circles]

The case for Bryant IMO is strong but simple - he really looks like he could be THAT guy defensively on the perimeter and helping that we crucially need to balance out Coby and Giddey (and maybe Vuc still!). Whatever hr can offer offensively is almost a bonus. He looks like the best defensive ceiling guy in the draft on the perimeter IMO.

[2weekswithpay]

WCJ was a young freshman with a BPM of 10.4 in his freshman season. The 6th best BPM in the NCAA as a freshman. WCJ was a great prospect, and any big with his age and production will get drafted in the top 10. We were unlucky, which happens sometimes.

[Red Larrivee]

To me any draft prospect being older than 20 or more than two years post high school experience is a big red flag. I wouldn't say I'd never ever draft a junior or senior, but I'd be very hesitant. You gotta ask yourself WHY they're behind the normal development curve for a modern, quality NBA player, which is only one year post high school.

Some players develop at a slower pace than others. They need more time to improve their skills or develop physically. Sometimes, they don't get the feedback they wanted from scouts, so they stay another year. If I'm projected to be drafted in the second round, why not stay another year for the NIL money?

Being a year or 2 behind isn't that big of a deal. A few of the 19-20 year old prospects aren't good, but are being drafted off of potential. Carter Bryant, Powell, Fears, Ace, and Demin all struggled in college.

Agreed. I think there was already enough evidence to be more open to drafting more upperclassmen, but with NIL and the Transfer Portal, there are going to be more players who get paid and stay in college longer.

[Jvaughn]

WCJ was a young freshman with a BPM of 10.4 in his freshman season. The 6th best BPM in the NCAA as a freshman. WCJ was a great prospect, and any big with his age and production will get drafted in the top 10. We were unlucky, which happens sometimes.

Sure, those are promising, but his faults going into the draft became his biggest issues at the next level again. He's still undersized and has a lack of athleticism and explosiveness. That never changed. And the hope that his jumper would become a weapon never materialized.

[Chi town]

The case for Bryant IMO is strong but simple - he really looks like he could be THAT guy defensively on the perimeter and helping that we crucially need to balance out Coby and Giddey (and maybe Vuc still!). Whatever hr can offer offensively is almost a bonus. He looks like the best defensive ceiling guy in the draft on the perimeter IMO.

Don’t think he can guard guards. Wings and forwards yes. PFs yes but not guards.

I think Drake can defend up and down. 1-4. Obviously not defending PGs exclusively but switching for sure.

I think Coward can defend 1-4 too but he’s not as good as Drake.

[Chi town]

With Vuc rumors it seems obvious Bulls want a late 1st to get Drake. Newell supposedly had a great workout and Bulls were impressed with his shooting and convo talking defense.

Don’t want Newell. I’d be ok late 1st though. Would rather have a C like Beringer or Kalbrenner. Don’t think AK will ever get a defense only C that’s why I could see Kalkbrenner who can shoot and has some game on offense.

[Chi town]

https://www.flashscoreusa.com/game/basketball/63Yb4XC6/#/game-summary/player-statistics/1

Noa with 17 and 9 in playoff win.
3-6 from 2
2-3 from 3
5-7 from FT

This dude going top 8.

I’d trade up for him too.

Coward or KJ will be there at 12.

[DuckIII]

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It would be totally my luck for AK to draft the only player I feel strongly about not drafting.

That said, I think the Terry pick was the only one that in real time I thought - holy crap what an idiot. I wanted Haliburton, but once I saw Williams on the court I understood the pick. Didn’t work out at all which sucks, obviously. But I can understand the real time logic.

Ayo pick was logical and fortunate but great pick. Same with Buzelis. You can say he fell in AK’s lap and he did, but you still gotta take the guy and AK did. Thats what matters. 10 other GMs passed.

Point being, much as I think AK is tragically inept at his job in extremely obvious ways, his draft record could be worse. I don’t trust him with this pick, but maybe I should a little?

[rosenthall]

I think the Bulls are going to draft Sorber at 12 and figure they have their C set for the next 10 years. Then trade Vuc for a vet 3 n D wing. Then use 45 for reach or a Euro draft and stash. There’s an outside chance they try to trade up to early 2nd round for someone they feel is a steal.

I can't get over my WCJ vibes. I just really see that scenario going down again. I don't think Sorber has the shooting potential WCJ did though. Idk at this point. Why is the draft 3 weeks away!!!!

I think he does give WCJ vibes, but I think people are underestimating WCJ the prospect when they make the comparison. He was (is) a more mobile perimeter defender and definitely had a better looking shooting stroke. Wendell also had very strong draft pedigree coming into college. I think he was #6 RSCI and was considered the robin to Ayton's batman in their high school class.

I also think WCJ as he is today is above the median expectation you should have for the #12 pick. He went #7 in a draft that had 3 All-NBA players and a DPOY taken in the lottery. We'd be lucky to get someone as good as him with our pick.

[Jcool0]

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[burlydee]

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The most impressive stat here is the FT%

[Hangtime84]

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The most impressive stat here is the FT%

I like his free throw rate along with the stats.

[Rose2Boozer]

WCJ was a young freshman with a BPM of 10.4 in his freshman season. The 6th best BPM in the NCAA as a freshman. WCJ was a great prospect, and any big with his age and production will get drafted in the top 10. We were unlucky, which happens sometimes.

A WCJ level prospect at pick twelve is a W. I liked WCJ, but only when he was motivated and locked in. The problem was that version of WCJ was the exception and miles away from being the rule.

[pipfan]

I like Newell a lot. Take him and move Matas to the 3. I'd love more defense/shot blocking up front

Trade White for a pick/young prospect and start Ball or Ayo

Trade Port pick to OKC for Dieng/#24

Dump Vuc however necessary (Nurkic/#33 is fine with me)

Ball/Ayo
Giddey/Huerter
Matas/PWill
Newell/Dieng
Collins/JSmith
deep bench JCarter, Terry, Phillips, #24, pick from Coby deal

2nd round picks are two way contracts. See what we have and play the year out

[Rose2Boozer]

I like Newell a lot. Take him and move Matas to the 3. I'd love more defense/shot blocking up front

Trade White for a pick/young prospect and start Ball or Ayo

Trade Port pick to OKC for Dieng/#24

Dump Vuc however necessary (Nurkic/#33 is fine with me)

Ball/Ayo
Giddey/Huerter
Matas/PWill
Newell/Dieng
Collins/JSmith
deep bench JCarter, Terry, Phillips, #24, pick from Coby deal

2nd round picks are two way contracts. See what we have and play the year out

Have we seen enough from Matas Buzelis to feel comfortable moving him to the three, and how will it affect his shot blocking?

[Red Larrivee]

A WCJ level prospect at pick twelve is a W. I liked WCJ, but only when he was motivated and locked in. The problem was that version of WCJ was the exception and miles away from being the rule.

If you could guarantee that Sorber would have about the same career as Carter, then picking him at 12 in a range where the range of outcomes is all over the place is definitely a win.

Are there prospects with higher ceilings in theory? Sure. Could there be a superstar in that same range? Sure. Good luck picking the right one. Getting a productive piece that is a part of your future is still a win.