2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[Repeat 3-peat]

Speaking of Egor, he's now listed on the Bulls workout tracker per hoops hype.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

Asa Newell is dry white toast. I see nothing that makes me think he'll ever be any better than someone like Jalen Smith. And if he is better, it won't be a lot better. Bulls can get guys like that in free agency pretty much every year.

I would truly hate the pick, which is pretty hard to accomplish because he's literally the only guy being discussed in our range that I don't want. But that is life for me as a Bulls fan under AK? You don't want it? You got it, Duck!

Hoping for a major talent slide like last year so the Bulls make a last minute switch if in fact Newell is their guy.

The only thing I disagree here with is his finishing ability. He's got post moves, floaters, jumpers, and a workable 3 ball.

If he is selected, I imagine disappointment followed by being won over by his efforts-- similar to Joakim.

Give me Essengue Coward or Fleming over him any day though. Demin too.

He's safe. If the Bulls want to take a safe guy, whose ready to contribute day 1, take CMB. I was just going through some scouting videos of those two (again), and CMB is a downright animal, tireless motor and defender, plays with a high degree of physicality, with every skill there is except a perimeter ball.

Newell is JAG. The ceiling and the floor might not be exactly the same, but they are fraternal twins.

I'm not sure why you're so high on Beringer but dislike Newell so much. Newell has the same ability to cover large areas quickly on defense. He's got really good combine numbers in max vertical, lane agility, and shuttle. It also shows on his tape. He's just not nearly as long as Beringer but the trade off is that we already know Newell has developed on offense while Beringer is still a complete question mark there.

Newell shot 35% from 3pt in his last 8 games (29% on season). His shot doesn't need a lot of work and his FT% was 75%.

I could completely understand if you rank Beringer higher, but they shouldn't be that far apart if defensive mobility is a key factor (and it is if you like Beringer). Newell can also guard better on the perimeter, but that's somewhat negated by Beringer's mobility and length as he can recover from almost any situation.

Although, if we could grab an extra 1st, a Matas/Newell/Beringer lineup would be pretty crazy to watch, especially if Newell continues to develop his 3-ball like Matas has.

I also thought it was kinda funny when someone mentioned his negative Assist to Turnover ratio earlier, but he average 0.9 assists and 1.1 turnovers lol. His turnovers per usage were actually pretty great for a big.

On top of all this Newell played in a silly Georgia offense where he was constantly parked down low along with a center. There was almost no spacing for him to work, and yet he was still pretty good at getting the rim and finishing.

[Chi town]

I think Demin is going to be an elite movement shooter. Better than Huerter, better passing, probably less D.

[tunit213]

Can someone tell me what’s not to like about CMB. Seems like a winning player and a dog to me. Can score in the post, can rebound, is quick for a big, can defend, can play-make. His one weakness seems to be shooting, but usually that is the easiest trait to get better at. You can’t teach what CMB brings. Having 2 dogs in Matas and CMB would be what the Bulls need. Especially around Giddey and Coby.

https://youtu.be/GY9szNsoAwQ?si=phrLaQeTNoWVTP_I


Plus I wouldn’t mind getting a rook that won’t demand the ball so much so Matas can get more volume and opportunities.

[WesPeace]

Exactly.. Bulls need lower usage high IQ, high energy dog who will hustle, play good defense. CMB is that, also Powell would be similar, Clifford, Bryant.. with small differences in offensive output.

I would prefer Coward over them, more offensive potential, but still be happy with CMB at #12.. with his size he can easily play alongside Matas, switchable on defense and offense.

I just dont want centers who are not gonna move the needle for us in bigger direction,aka Queen, Newell, Wolf etc.! Rather have Kalkbrenner as late pick if..

I'm just baffled why some people want some light Vooch versions on this team or some mediocre centers because we need younger centers. Lets rather bring some wing who can be good fit alongside Matas and Giddey or some center who will be something different.

[drosestruts]

Can someone tell me what’s not to like about CMB. Seems like a winning player and a dog to me. Can score in the post, can rebound, is quick for a big, can defend, can play-make. His one weakness seems to be shooting, but usually that is the easiest trait to get better at. You can’t teach what CMB brings. Having 2 dogs in Matas and CMB would be what the Bulls need. Especially around Giddey and Coby.

https://youtu.be/GY9szNsoAwQ?si=phrLaQeTNoWVTP_I


Plus I wouldn’t mind getting a rook that won’t demand the ball so much so Matas can get more volume and opportunities.

he's a dog for sure.

I'm hesitant and skepitcal of his ability to make a similar impact at the NBA level.

I have both short-term and long-term concerns about his role in the NBA. Is he an undersized center? Will he receive thesame offensive opportunities he was given in college? What does he look like as a more supporting/role player type? While his strength and effort made up for a lack of size at the collegiate level will it at the NBA level?

There's just players I feel much more comfortable taking is all.

CMB wouldn't have me groaning in dissapointment like if we drafted Queen or some other players.

[Red Larrivee]

Is he an undersized center?

He's a PF who can defend multiple positions.

Will he receive the same offensive opportunities he was given in college?

A team will not feature him, but a competent team will play to his many strengths on offense.

What does he look like as a more supporting/role player type?

As a freshman and 4th option, he led South Carolina in BPM on a team that won 26 games.

While his strength and effort made up for a lack of size at the collegiate level will it at the NBA level?

Strength and effort weren't the reasons he made up for lack of size.

[Chi town]

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2025

Newest mock. They are usually dialed better than anybody closer to the draft. I they are spot on for top 9 picks. Then it gets really weird.

Don’t think AK passes on KJ Noa or Demin.

[Chi town]

For all the CMB fans…

He’d be our 3rd or 4th PF behind Buz and Pat coming off the bench.

Billy wouldn’t start Giddey Coby Buz CMB Collins. Not enough guard defense.

Unless CMB plays C he wouldn’t get much burn here until Pat gets traded.

[DuckIII]

I'm not sure why you're so high on Beringer but dislike Newell so much. Newell has the same ability to cover large areas quickly on defense. He's got really good combine numbers in max vertical, lane agility, and shuttle. It also shows on his tape. He's just not nearly as long as Beringer but the trade off is that we already know Newell has developed on offense while Beringer is still a complete question mark there.

Newell shot 35% from 3pt in his last 8 games (29% on season). His shot doesn't need a lot of work and his FT% was 75%.

I could completely understand if you rank Beringer higher, but they shouldn't be that far apart if defensive mobility is a key factor (and it is if you like Beringer). Newell can also guard better on the perimeter, but that's somewhat negated by Beringer's mobility and length as he can recover from almost any situation.

Fair question and good points. To answer it I need to point out a clarification and explain how I view this particular draft.

Clarification: I am high on Beringer, but to put it in perspective I have a list of 13 prospects I really, really like from this draft for the Bulls (that matters to the next response). But Beringer is 13th and by far the biggest question mark, of course. So while yes, I have him above Newell, I can't say I have him way above Newell.

I also can't say I "dislike" Newell. I just don't want the Bulls to draft him. Here is what I wrote on the prior page, which I think sums it up:

In fairness to guys like Newell and even Sorber (who I prefer to Newell anyway), I would be much higher on them at 12 in a whole lot of drafts. They would likely appear to be the best available options and we'd likely be in the "safe contributor" range of many drafts. But this draft is not like most drafts, in my opinion. To my eye, it not just unusual, but extremely unusual. I can't recall a draft with so many intriguing players at such a wide variety of positions and player types. Walking out that with Asa Newell, to me, is just a huge waste considering the relative options.

My Draft View This Year:

Summed up in two words: Unique traits. I want unique guys who can reach unusually high levels at whatever it is they do. Doesn't have to be an all around "franchise ceiling" guy. Given our FO and our circumstances, barring something unexpected happening (trading Coby for future-looking assets for example) we are not going to have super high picks going forward without pretty significant lottery luck. And we have zero franchise players and only one guy who, if everything goes just right, has the ceiling to be one. As such, the absolute last thing we should be doing with our draft pick this year is going for guys who project to be the standard type guy at their position that you don't have to wait long for in free agency.

To me, Asa Newell is pretty much the dictionary definition of that type of guy. Zero unique, high level physical or skill based traits, nice and solid at most things. This year, that's a hard pass for me.

As for compering Beringer to Asa, Joan is the former. He has elite traits in his height, wing span, standing reach, and mobility. Asa does not have any of that. He's if anything undersized with limited reach. Beringer has 2 inches on him in height, and a whopping 5 inches on him in reach and wingspan. If he develops and pans out, he projects as a legitimate elite level interior defender who can run the floor with Giddey on offense, and cover for his defensive limitations on D. And if it doesn't work out, go sign a role playing Newell-clone and you didn't end up missing out on any sort of unique opportunity. This is in part why I'm higher on Demin than most - he has a unique, elite trait.

[DuckIII]

For all the CMB fans…

He’d be our 3rd or 4th PF behind Buz and Pat coming off the bench.

Billy wouldn’t start Giddey Coby Buz CMB Collins. Not enough guard defense.

Unless CMB plays C he wouldn’t get much burn here until Pat gets traded.

1. I don't agree unless Pat finds himself.

2. Unless he does find himself, Pat can't be part of draft math anymore. As far as this summer's moves are concerned, he has to be considered a total bust. If that changes, awesome. But this summer he shouldn't be considered in planning the future roster.

3. What does guard defense have to do with it? CMB and Matas are there to help cover for that. Its one of the main reasons to draft CMB.

4. 3/4 is in many ways one position played by 2 guys. That's 96 minutes per game. More than enough for 3 guys to get major run.

[nomorezorro]

i think the idea is that giddey/coby/buzelis/cmb/collins leaves you without anyone you can count on to defend the star guards of the world. which i don't think should be a major factor in who we draft at 12, but is a fair point about the general roster construction. the best small/quick guard defender on the team currently is probably dalen terry, who is not someone i would like to have to lean on for major minutes. and despite our guard glut, every single one who i'd characterize as solid-to-good defenders could be off the team by the end of next season, if not sooner

it's a reason i'd be into trading back into the late first to take a flier on drake powell, if he's there

[Chi town]

For all the CMB fans…

He’d be our 3rd or 4th PF behind Buz and Pat coming off the bench.

Billy wouldn’t start Giddey Coby Buz CMB Collins. Not enough guard defense.

Unless CMB plays C he wouldn’t get much burn here until Pat gets traded.

1. I don't agree unless Pat finds himself.

2. Unless he does find himself, Pat can't be part of draft math anymore. As far as this summer's moves are concerned, he has to be considered a total bust. If that changes, awesome. But this summer he shouldn't be considered in planning the future roster.

3. What does guard defense have to do with it? CMB and Matas are there to help cover for that. Its one of the main reasons to draft CMB.

4. 3/4 is in many ways one position played by 2 guys. That's 96 minutes per game. More than enough for 3 guys to get major run.

No way AK views Pat like that and his 4/80 deal left. I’m sure the goal will be to get him back to 3D and ship him off in a bigger deal at the deadline. He will need 25mpg to be tradable.

No way Pat gets benched and doesn’t see a he floor and we eat that contract. No way we give picks to get rid of him either.

I agree 3/4 is set with Giddey Buz Pat. Enough mins for Giddey and Buz to get 33, Pat 25 and pick 5-10.

Ideally a wing/PF we get can play the 5. I think Noa will eventually do that and be a cheat code playing the 5 much like Chet. I think CMB can give us a big advantage playing the 5 as well.

I do believe Pat will be pumped and dumped. If he’s injury free he will play more to his career averages and be tradable.

[Chi town]

i think the idea is that giddey/coby/buzelis/cmb/collins leaves you without anyone you can count on to defend the star guards of the world. which i don't think should be a major factor in who we draft at 12, but is a fair point about the general roster construction. the best small/quick guard defender on the team currently is probably dalen terry, who is not someone i would like to have to lean on for major minutes. and despite our guard glut, every single one who i'd characterize as solid-to-good defenders could be off the team by the end of next season, if not sooner

it's a reason i'd be into trading back into the late first to take a flier on drake powell, if he's there

It’s Tre. He’s really good on smaller guards. As is Ayo. Zo is good too.

I think Drake can defend 1-4. Coward 1-3.

[Red Larrivee]

For all the CMB fans…

He’d be our 3rd or 4th PF behind Buz and Pat coming off the bench.

Billy wouldn’t start Giddey Coby Buz CMB Collins. Not enough guard defense.

Unless CMB plays C he wouldn’t get much burn here until Pat gets traded.

He'd immediately become our best frontcourt defender and eat into whoever's minutes are currently there or shift their minutes to their natural position at SF. I wouldn't have any concern about it.

[DuckIII]

i think the idea is that giddey/coby/buzelis/cmb/collins leaves you without anyone you can count on to defend the star guards of the world. which i don't think should be a major factor in who we draft at 12, but is a fair point about the general roster construction. the best small/quick guard defender on the team currently is probably dalen terry, who is not someone i would like to have to lean on for major minutes. and despite our guard glut, every single one who i'd characterize as solid-to-good defenders could be off the team by the end of next season, if not sooner

it's a reason i'd be into trading back into the late first to take a flier on drake powell, if he's there

I'm not advocating CMB because of the current roster. I don't care about the current roster. I'm advocating for him because of him. Him being able to help cover for Coby and Giddey is an added bonus.

Similar to my criticism of taking Newell, its not hard to sign perimeter defensive specialists in free agency in the NBA. We shouldn't be using our pick on regularly appearing free agency type guys.

[DuckIII]

I agree 3/4 is set with Giddey Buz Pat. Enough mins for Giddey and Buz to get 33, Pat 25 and pick 5-10.

Giddey is the PG. If the Bulls treat his rotational minutes as 3/4 minutes we are already ****. That would be an absolutely idiotic use of the extremely unique opportunity to have a huge, running offense being led by a 6'8 PG.

Good lord, I hope the plan is not to have Giddey out there and ADD a full time PG.

[TheJordanRule]

Beringer is criminally underrated from both a team needs standpoint, AND a massive upside standpoint.

[CobysHairpick]

https://www.nbadraft.net/nba-mock-drafts/?year-mock=2025

Newest mock. They are usually dialed better than anybody closer to the draft. I they are spot on for top 9 picks. Then it gets really weird.

Don’t think AK passes on KJ Noa or Demin.

Would Houston really draft Traore at 10 when they just drafted Reed Sheppard last year and are committed to giving him rotational minutes this upcoming season?

[Guru]

IMO there is a clear top 8 and we very well might get one of them.
Flagg-Harper-Edgecombe-Bailey-Queen-KJ-Fears-Johnson

Maluach-Kon very well might push one of those guys down. So we would need 2 teams to fall in love with 2 guys outside that 10 and then we get one of those top 10.