Who do you think AK will ultimately pick?

[Muzbar]

This is a thread on who you the AK will pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, not who you think he should pick.

I think personally it'll be either Demin or Newell (which ever one is left) with Demin being his top target.

I've added prospects that are projected to be around by pick 12 via various mocks, comment your own if the one you think they'll pick isn't on there (but be realistic).

[DuckIII]

Ha! We might not be the same size community we once were but we’ve collectively come up with a lot of fun ways to slice and dice the draft discussion this year. I’ve really enjoyed it.

I voted Asa Newell for two reasons.

1. It seams like the very definition of a safe pick you can still sell as an upside player due to his age, while also believing he’ll help immediately win games next year. Said less politely: a cowardly pick myopically focused on short term gains and PR.

2. I hate drafting Newell (at 12) and AK tends to do things I hate. So it amuses me to pick Newell in the poll.

But really, I have zero feel for how this draft will shake out and especially with Chicago. It’s as unpredictable going in as last year, just with much, much better looking players.

And in fairness to AK, his draft record isn’t really that bad. At the very worst it’s mixed. He could very well knock it out of the park two years in a row.

[Muzbar]

Ha! We might not be the same size community we once were but we’ve collectively come up with a lot of fun ways to slice and dice the draft discussion this year. I’ve really enjoyed it.

I voted Asa Newell for two reasons.

1. It seams like the very definition of a safe pick you can still sell as an upside player due to his age, while also believing he’ll help immediately win games next year. Said less politely: a cowardly pick myopically focused on short term gains and PR.

2. I hate drafting Newell (at 12) and AK tends to do things I hate. So it amuses me to pick Newell in the poll.

But really, I have zero feel for how this draft will shake out and especially with Chicago. It’s as unpredictable going in as last year, just with much, much better looking players.

This draft really does have alot of question marks surrounding what direction teams will go and that ultimately shakes up how the later part of the draft goes also.

I'd also hate drafting Newell at 12, but I think that's one of 2 likely scenarios that's going to happen and I'm not a fan of either.

[Hangtime84]

Danny Wolf too much absurd **** for a 7ft guy and playmaking cannot be ignored.

[DuckIII]

Danny Wolf too much absurd **** for a 7ft guy and playmaking cannot be ignored.

That is who you think AK will draft?

[kodo]

At this point I would guess Newell because he's been worked out by Chicago, and KC reported they were "very impressed" by his workout and especially with his shooting. He was only a 29% 3P shooter, but as we've seen before AK isn't scared to take on a 3P project (Ayo, Terry, Matas, Giddey). He generally does like length and motor (Ayo, Terry, Matas, Giddey). The other factor is Newell is likely to be available, I don't think I've seen any mock with him going higher than 13.

Newell is the same height as the some of the other center candidates like Queen & Sorber, I think AK will envision Newell running at center at times. He's actually a bit taller than Jalen Smith.

The caveat is if someone drops like Matas last year. Bulls interviewed some higher mocked players obviously to prepare for his, like Tre Johnson. I think if we see a drop from guys like Tre, Kasparas, Maluach the Bulls will pull the trigger.

[MGB8]

Demin. I think that these guys telegraph and Demin will end up there. Though I do wonder if a guy like KJ falls, maybe they like him too and it’s a Buzelis situation where it is unexpected availability but they do it.

[Red Larrivee]

Both of his lottery picks here were telegraphed at some point, so I think Demin is who they want to be there. But, nobody knows how 3-11 will play out, so that could definitely change things. I'm sure they didn't expect Buzelis to be there at 11 last year.

[Dan Z]

Does anyone think AK might trade the pick? I don't, but you never know.

[Lexluthor]

If Denim and Essengue are gone I think they will draft Asa Newell

[DuckIII]

Does anyone think AK might trade the pick? I don't, but you never know.

I consider it a real possibility. It would certainly be consistent with his playbook and public statements.

[Red8911]

If Jakucionis is on the board there’s no way AK is passing him that’s for sure. There’s a chance he falls since he’s mostly projected to go 10th to the Rockets.

[nomorezorro]

i picked newell just because i think he fits the ak "toolsy guy" mold while also filling a position of need and vaguely aligning with the "direction" the team is seemingly pivoting to after that post-deadline run

demin is probably the more logical person to pick based on the info available to us, but i'm in denial that those leaks are legit until it happens!

[Hangtime84]

Danny Wolf too much absurd **** for a 7ft guy and playmaking cannot be ignored.

That is who you think AK will draft?

Players who fit that playmaking, shooting and passing yes.

[Chi town]

Demin. I think that these guys telegraph and Demin will end up there. Though I do wonder if a guy like KJ falls, maybe they like him too and it’s a Buzelis situation where it is unexpected availability but they do it.

Someone will drop.

I bet it’s KJ or Noa. AK will take who drops just like he did with Buz.

[pipfan]

Ha! We might not be the same size community we once were but we’ve collectively come up with a lot of fun ways to slice and dice the draft discussion this year. I’ve really enjoyed it.

I voted Asa Newell for two reasons.

1. It seams like the very definition of a safe pick you can still sell as an upside player due to his age, while also believing he’ll help immediately win games next year. Said less politely: a cowardly pick myopically focused on short term gains and PR.

2. I hate drafting Newell (at 12) and AK tends to do things I hate. So it amuses me to pick Newell in the poll.

But really, I have zero feel for how this draft will shake out and especially with Chicago. It’s as unpredictable going in as last year, just with much, much better looking players.

And in fairness to AK, his draft record isn’t really that bad. At the very worst it’s mixed. He could very well knock it out of the park two years in a row.

I'm interested, why would you hate the Newell pick? That's been my guy the whole time. He seems like a perfect fit with Matas to me-high motor, some skill, good athlete. I would LOVE for us to play bigger, and have better D.

[CROBulls]

Not NBA player

[Moon]

My wishful thinking is that AK makes a trade with SAS for Dylan Harper (#2 pick).

Aquire enough pics and trade anyone not names Matas or Josh. SA has a fair amount of guards already and might be willing to stockpile for depth.

Harper combined with Giddey and Buzelis is a 1, 2, 3 punch of young guys going forward . Try and pick up Walter Kessler from Utah at Center. Maybe get Kuminga from Golden State.

So...makes trades to get capitol draft picks this year to exchange for pick #2.

Josh Giddey, Dylan Harper, Matas Buzelis, Jon Kuminga, Walter Kessler

My backup if SAS doesn't make the deal is Maluach, Sorber.or Demin

Ooops reread topic ...who will AK take,,,,,Rocco Zikarsky,,,,,he likes guys from Australia

[Jcool0]

i picked newell just because i think he fits the ak "toolsy guy" mold while also filling a position of need and vaguely aligning with the "direction" the team is seemingly pivoting to after that post-deadline run

demin is probably the more logical person to pick based on the info available to us, but i'm in denial that those leaks are legit until it happens!

I wouldn't characterize Asa Newell as "toolsy"

[Jcool0]

KJ is the perfect AK pick. Billy would love him since he can play him anywhere from 1-3. Since early in the season he was locked into that top 6 range. Had a bad second half of the year (hopefully because of the injury). He is now seen in that 9-13 range. If he near his old self post injury that is a big pickup for Chicago.