11 days out from the 2025 NBA draft...Who is your guy?

[rosenthall]

CMB is officially my guy.

Noa is intriguing, but when I watch him I get more Tidjane Salaun vibes than Giannis vibes. I think people are overrating him a bit.

Carter Bryant seems like someone who's a good bet to become a player type that is extremely common in the NBA, and I don't see signs that he's good enough to transcend an above average version of his player mold, so I wouldn't prioritize him.

Asa is okay, but doesn't excite me. Ditto Demin, who is just way too quiet for my liking.

CMB is the only player that both has a strong role player floor that I can somehow project to greatness that's available at our pick.

Holding opponents to 38.2% FG is elite. 5.6 stocks / 100 poss is elite. A 55% FTR on 26% usage is elite. He's not a remarkable run/jump athlete, but he leans on certain types of reflexes, positioning and anticipation that is, and those things usually can't be taught to the level that he has them in.

I think if his jump shot doesn't come around he's a Thad Young type player. If his jump shot does come around he's a seriously winning player on both sides of the ball.

I also think Billy could put him to good use. He has very good recognition and connective passing from the elbow, and I can envision him playing the Thadgic role in our offense, maybe even in his first year.

He's kind of an odd player, but I think he's one of those guys who just has to be embraced in the package that he comes in because of all the unique things he does well.

[rosenthall]

CMB is officially my guy.

Noa is intriguing, but when I watch him I get more Tidjane Salaun vibes than Giannis vibes. I think people overrate him here.

Carter Bryant seems like someone who's a good bet to become a player type that is extremely common in the NBA, and I don't see signs that he's good enough to transcend an above average version of his player mold, so I wouldn't prioritize him.

Asa is okay, but doesn't excite me. Ditto Demin, who is just way too quiet for my liking.

CMB is the only player that both has a strong role player floor that I can somehow project to greatness that's available at our pick.

Holding opponents to 38.2% FG is elite. 5.6 stocks / 100 poss is elite. A 55% FTR on 26% usage is elite. He's not a remarkable run/jump athlete, but he leans on certain types of reflexes, positioning and anticipation that is, and those things usually can't be taught to the level that he has them in.

I think if his jump shot doesn't come around he's a Thad Young type player. If his jump shot does come around he's a seriously winning player on both sides of the ball.

I also think Billy could put him to good use. He has very good recognition and connective passing from the elbow, and I can envision him playing the Thadgic role in our offense, maybe even in his first year.

He's kind of an odd player, but I think he's one of those guys who just has to be embraced in the package that he comes in because of all the unique things he does well.

[VolumePoster]

1. Kalkbrenner
2. Richardson
3. Clifford
4. Saraf

Really different names than usual, I like it!

Older players being undervalued is nothing new.

Kalkbrenner was dominant this year.


Offense:

Kalkbrenner shot 73% in the pick and roll this year. He sets good hard screens and rolls hard to the rim, has great hands, and is ag reat lob catcher and finisher.

For three straight years his 2P FG% was over 70%

And it's not on low volume, he attempts 12 shots a game. He dropped 49 points in a game this season.

He led the NCAA in dunks. He gets to the rim and he finishes.

98th percentine in trasition effecieny

90th percentile in post-ups and in cuts

86th percentile in putbacks

34% 3P% this year



Defense:

Best paint protector in the entire draft. Won the NCAA Naismith defensive player of the year award. 4 time Bog East DPOY

2.7BPG with a 7.3% Block Rate

Creighton ranked in the 96th percentile as a team in opponent field goal % at the rim and that's due to Kalkbrenner

Commits only 2.2 fouls per 100 possesions. He locks down the paint and does so without fouling


A year after Edey and Clingan go top 10 I'm sort of confused why Kalkbrenner is mocked so low. The resume is great.



He's the best rim protector in the draft and the most effecient offensive player in the draft

You make great points. I especially dig the 9.4 standing reach.

[kulaz3000]

I like CMB, I like him a lot and I've mentioned it as much in here on the boards, but it's not going to surprise me if a lot of teams pass on him. His absolute ceiling is going to be a high motor, high IQ, defensive player, offensive connector who isn't a total liability on the offensive end. And that's if everything clicks for him. And front offices, not all, but many, are going to want to take a swing on All-Star potential players.

Again, I would be very happy with CMB, but if you draft him, you have to draft him knowing what type of player you're likely going to get and be okay with that, knowing that there may be more raw players in the draft with higher potential that overtake him later in their respective careers.

He is the type of player I'd be ecstatic to draft in the early 20's, if we had a second first round pick, but a little nervous in the lottery just because there may be players with higher ceilings than CMB on the board in the lottery. Still, I think he would fit in really well with Matas in the front court, because neither are selfish players, and they play well on both ends of the floor and can switch on either ends too.

[Chi town]

For everyone that wants CMB…

How many non 3pt shooters do you see getting mins in the playoffs?

[kulaz3000]

For everyone that wants CMB…

How many non 3pt shooters do you see getting mins in the playoffs?

Giannis, Mobley (though he has improved), Aaron Gordon (he shot well this season, but he is usually in the low 30's), Banchero is a lower 30's 3 point shooter, Randle, Draymond Green and I'm sure there are plenty more power forwards who can't shoot well from distance beyond those players.

Now, you can say that CMB may never reach the level of ANY of those players, and that's fair, he may not. But provided that all the players on the floor can't shoot, and they can contribute in other ways, you can still make an impact for your team in the playoffs and a significant one at that. That's not to say that it isn't an important skill to have in the modern NBA, it's also not that crucial, that it's going to make or break your career either.

[Jcool0]

Really different names than usual, I like it!

Older players being undervalued is nothing new.

Kalkbrenner was dominant this year.


Offense:

Kalkbrenner shot 73% in the pick and roll this year. He sets good hard screens and rolls hard to the rim, has great hands, and is ag reat lob catcher and finisher.

For three straight years his 2P FG% was over 70%

And it's not on low volume, he attempts 12 shots a game. He dropped 49 points in a game this season.

He led the NCAA in dunks. He gets to the rim and he finishes.

98th percentine in trasition effecieny

90th percentile in post-ups and in cuts

86th percentile in putbacks

34% 3P% this year



Defense:

Best paint protector in the entire draft. Won the NCAA Naismith defensive player of the year award. 4 time Bog East DPOY

2.7BPG with a 7.3% Block Rate

Creighton ranked in the 96th percentile as a team in opponent field goal % at the rim and that's due to Kalkbrenner

Commits only 2.2 fouls per 100 possesions. He locks down the paint and does so without fouling


A year after Edey and Clingan go top 10 I'm sort of confused why Kalkbrenner is mocked so low. The resume is great.



He's the best rim protector in the draft and the most effecient offensive player in the draft

You make great points. I especially dig the 9.4 standing reach.

Read on Twitter

[rosenthall]

For everyone that wants CMB…

How many non 3pt shooters do you see getting mins in the playoffs?

1. You draft CMB knowing that shooting is his big swing skill, and if it does not come around it will severely limit his upside as a player. It is what it is.
2. Caruso, Draymond, Amen Thompson and Julius Randle are all examples of non-centers who aren't great shooters who got lots of playing time in the playoffs. There are probably more, but you get the idea.

I think if CMB had a good jumper he would easily be top 5 in this draft class, and probably neck-and-neck with Dylan Harper for #2 prospect in the draft. That's the upside of taking him.

[rosenthall]

Older players being undervalued is nothing new.

Kalkbrenner was dominant this year.


Offense:

Kalkbrenner shot 73% in the pick and roll this year. He sets good hard screens and rolls hard to the rim, has great hands, and is ag reat lob catcher and finisher.

For three straight years his 2P FG% was over 70%

And it's not on low volume, he attempts 12 shots a game. He dropped 49 points in a game this season.

He led the NCAA in dunks. He gets to the rim and he finishes.

98th percentine in trasition effecieny

90th percentile in post-ups and in cuts

86th percentile in putbacks

34% 3P% this year

Defense:

Best paint protector in the entire draft. Won the NCAA Naismith defensive player of the year award. 4 time Bog East DPOY

2.7BPG with a 7.3% Block Rate

Creighton ranked in the 96th percentile as a team in opponent field goal % at the rim and that's due to Kalkbrenner

Commits only 2.2 fouls per 100 possesions. He locks down the paint and does so without fouling


A year after Edey and Clingan go top 10 I'm sort of confused why Kalkbrenner is mocked so low. The resume is great.



He's the best rim protector in the draft and the most effecient offensive player in the draft

You make great points. I especially dig the 9.4 standing reach.

Read on Twitter

My big hesitation about Kalkbrenner is that it looks like he needs a lot of time to wind up before leaving the floor on offense and defense. At least compared to guys that play in the NBA. That's a fatal flaw IMO. Literally every single player in the NBA is able to get off the floor quickly, even the big guys who don't jump that high. If you waste a quarter second getting into your moves compared to everyone else your reaction to game play will be too slow to ever compensate. In the last 15 years I can't think of a single player who had a wind up time like his that's made it in the league.

[NecessaryEvil]

The Bulls will draft Derik Queen

[Jcool0]

The Bulls will draft Derik Queen

Queen, Joan Beringer, and Thomas Sorber are said to be among the prospects they might consider with this pick at No. 12.

Queen's conditioning, occasional apathy defensively and lack of shooting range are things NBA teams picking in this area (or earlier) are trying to get a better handle on in the predraft process, areas that we've heard mixed feedback about based on some of his early workouts. -- Givony

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/45515479/2025-nba-mock-draft-59-picks-trade-talks-heat-30-teams

[Chi town]

For everyone that wants CMB…

How many non 3pt shooters do you see getting mins in the playoffs?

1. You draft CMB knowing that shooting is his big swing skill, and if it does not come around it will severely limit his upside as a player. It is what it is.
2. Caruso, Draymond, Amen Thompson and Julius Randle are all examples of non-centers who aren't great shooters who got lots of playing time in the playoffs. There are probably more, but you get the idea.

I think if CMB had a good jumper he would easily be top 5 in this draft class, and probably neck-and-neck with Dylan Harper for #2 prospect in the draft. That's the upside of taking him.

Draymond is a defensive unicorn.
Amen is a unicorn athlete.
Caruso is a guard wing.
Randle doesn’t play D and does shoot the 3 and gets his own shots.

I just don’t believe in CMB’s defense enough to think it will cover for his lack of a shot. Don’t trust his shot to ever come around to having gravity either which hurts spacing. Also don’t think he fits our pace system. Think he’s more of a halfcourt player. I do like his playmaking but it’s limited because he’s not a threat from 3.

[ghostinthepost1]

I think at this point I am so desperate for any hope that I can talk myself into whoever they pick.

For what it's worth here is who Stacey wants...

Read on Twitter

[rosenthall]

For everyone that wants CMB…

How many non 3pt shooters do you see getting mins in the playoffs?

1. You draft CMB knowing that shooting is his big swing skill, and if it does not come around it will severely limit his upside as a player. It is what it is.
2. Caruso, Draymond, Amen Thompson and Julius Randle are all examples of non-centers who aren't great shooters who got lots of playing time in the playoffs. There are probably more, but you get the idea.

I think if CMB had a good jumper he would easily be top 5 in this draft class, and probably neck-and-neck with Dylan Harper for #2 prospect in the draft. That's the upside of taking him.

Draymond is a defensive unicorn.
Amen is a unicorn athlete.
Caruso is a guard wing.
Randle doesn’t play D and does shoot the 3 and gets his own shots.

I just don’t believe in CMB’s defense enough to think it will cover for his lack of a shot. Don’t trust his shot to ever come around to having gravity either which hurts spacing. Also don’t think he fits our pace system. Think he’s more of a halfcourt player. I do like his playmaking but it’s limited because he’s not a threat from 3.

1). I was just answering your question

2). Most winning teams have high impact defensive role players with really good deep stats. I think CMB starts there when he enters the league, and his shot is his elevator up from that. It's not guaranteed, but there are lots of examples of defensive guys who picked up their offense as time went on.

3). Jaden McDaniels, Dillon Brooks, Taj Gibson, Luol Deng and Thad Young are all guys who have / had long careers in the NBA without coming into the league as great shooters, and I see CMB being in that same mold.

3). CMB can't shoot, but he creates his own shot pretty well in the half-court. He gets to spots and can shift defenses, which is considerably more than what other players in his mold were able to do coming into the NBA. It's one of the reasons why I'm high on him.

[ghostinthepost1]

CMB is officially my guy.

Noa is intriguing, but when I watch him I get more Tidjane Salaun vibes than Giannis vibes. I think people are overrating him a bit.

Carter Bryant seems like someone who's a good bet to become a player type that is extremely common in the NBA, and I don't see signs that he's good enough to transcend an above average version of his player mold, so I wouldn't prioritize him.

Asa is okay, but doesn't excite me. Ditto Demin, who is just way too quiet for my liking.

CMB is the only player that both has a strong role player floor that I can somehow project to greatness that's available at our pick.

Holding opponents to 38.2% FG is elite. 5.6 stocks / 100 poss is elite. A 55% FTR on 26% usage is elite. He's not a remarkable run/jump athlete, but he leans on certain types of reflexes, positioning and anticipation that is, and those things usually can't be taught to the level that he has them in.

I think if his jump shot doesn't come around he's a Thad Young type player. If his jump shot does come around he's a seriously winning player on both sides of the ball.

I also think Billy could put him to good use. He has very good recognition and connective passing from the elbow, and I can envision him playing the Thadgic role in our offense, maybe even in his first year.

He's kind of an odd player, but I think he's one of those guys who just has to be embraced in the package that he comes in because of all the unique things he does well.

I read the article and watched the video below and I am now 100% on the CMB bandwagon if neither Queen or Khaman are there.

I don't think he ever becomes an amazing shooter but a Julius Randle level threat from the outside (career 33%, 34% with NYC & MIN) isn't out of the question, combine that with Draymond-esq defense/playmaking and you've got a guy who is going to help you win a lot of basketball games.

https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2025/6/17/24444910/collin-murray-boyles-nba-draft-profile-sleeper-prospect-advanced-stats

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[ChiTownHero1992]

Likely not gonna be there: Maluach, Demin, Queen, Essengue
Likely to be there: Jackoconious, McNeeley, Sorber, Newell

Anyone else and Its a wait and see mode for me, one of those 8ish players and i'd be happy

[sco]

Likely not gonna be there: Maluach, Demin, Queen, Essengue
Likely to be there: Jackoconious, McNeeley, Sorber, Newell

Anyone else and Its a wait and see mode for me, one of those 8ish players and i'd be happy

IMO Queen doesn't get picked until 15 or later. Dude is a walking red flag. I'd worry more about us picking him but the fact that he's not foreign...AK's kryptonite. We'll draft Demin, unless some other team saves us from that mistake.

[Jcool0]

Likely not gonna be there: Maluach, Demin, Queen, Essengue
Likely to be there: Jackoconious, McNeeley, Sorber, Newell

Anyone else and Its a wait and see mode for me, one of those 8ish players and i'd be happy

I would switch KJ with Queen.

[ChettheJet]

Picked Newell, you don't need to teach length and almost everybody can gain muscle like we suspect Matas is right now

I would really like to be able to trade Vucevic before the draft to know what they get back in return which could alter the thinking of who to pick. Let's say they get a SF/PF back well then maybe they can draft a center. Maybe Carter and Terry go in the same but bigger deal, that opens the door to take a guard if he's the highest on your list. Does a trade fall just right and they end up with another FRP? Lots of unanswered questions shape the pick

[MGB8]

For everyone that wants CMB…

How many non 3pt shooters do you see getting mins in the playoffs?

1. You draft CMB knowing that shooting is his big swing skill, and if it does not come around it will severely limit his upside as a player. It is what it is.
2. Caruso, Draymond, Amen Thompson and Julius Randle are all examples of non-centers who aren't great shooters who got lots of playing time in the playoffs. There are probably more, but you get the idea.

I think if CMB had a good jumper he would easily be top 5 in this draft class, and probably neck-and-neck with Dylan Harper for #2 prospect in the draft. That's the upside of taking him.

Meh. I don’t think he is that great a defensive prospect. He looks like a guy who will struggle to hang on the perimeter when he gets into the NBA - nothing to do with an Amen Thompson. A Luol Deng type very solid but non-game changing defender, whose offense will struggle to translate in the league unless the shot develops. That isn’t interesting to me at 12.

Mind you, if everything breaks just right, he could be everything that people hoped Pat would be - and he may well have the work ethic and drive, etc., to get there (hard thing to have good info on and project) - but I see the floor as a a minimum salary worth bench defensive forward.