2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[Muzbar]

No Coby? Do you think the Bulls should trade him?

I mention Coby because he's still young and the team will need scoring. KJ/Giddey/Matas will all score points, but I don't see them as players who average 20 a game (not that they need to).

Defense is also a concern, but that's something they can figure out down the road (or with a trade).

I initially wrote Coby as an (if not traded), but I do think they should trade him. What for? I'm not sure, maybe a rim running defensive big?

If they can get a young big like that...sure, but who? If they trade him I think they should just get picks and a contract that isn't long term (or if it is...get more picks).

That way it gives AK something to work with (picks are NBA currency), but I doubt AK will actually do a trade like that.

Like I said, I wasn't really sure what to get for Coby, but yeah, picks would be awesome also, I just don't think the Bulls are going to keep Coby around long term, I could be wrong though.

I just don't think AK will start a core paying 2 guys 25-30m+, again, I could be wrong.

[jump]

Like everybody else, I'm wishing for a second pick in the 20s. With that in mind, I would be perfectly happy with any the following combinations (similar to an earlier Duck post).

Sorber, Powell
Sorber, Coward
Sorber, Saraf
Sorber, Clifford
KJ, Kalkbrenner (the Vitamin K draft)
Carter, Kalkbrenner
CMB, Kalkbrenner
Demin, Kalkbrenner

Obviously, I like Kalkbrenner as a late pick. He's ready to play on day one. Make's Collins available in a trade, if needed. Or replaces him next year. All of this assuming Vuc and Carter are gone.

[Chi town]

https://youtu.be/eA7iVdIQY7g?si=L_U9M-FWPeb-WUgH

Noa’s team just put this up.

[WesPeace]

Trade up for Maluach

Please and thank you

Trade up? You dont trade up in draft like this lol

[WesPeace]

I haven't been all that high on Kasparas Jakucionis, especially if the Bulls picked top 6 (I don't know why).

But if he's there at 12, that's a no brainer.

A Jakucionis/Giddey/Matas core is a terrific start, especially for trading a defensive role player, an 11th pick and a 12th pick.

How is KJ on defense? We need strong defender in starting lineup.. we CANT afford KJ, White, Giddey, Matas, Vooch to start the season.

Thats why I want strong twoway wing that can be slotted alongside Matas. If we really pick KJ, we need to start him off bench first season. We need balance in starting lineup.

Vooch I hope will be traded, but with stubborn dummie AK, you never know..

[Muzbar]

I haven't been all that high on Kasparas Jakucionis, especially if the Bulls picked top 6 (I don't know why).

But if he's there at 12, that's a no brainer.

A Jakucionis/Giddey/Matas core is a terrific start, especially for trading a defensive role player, an 11th pick and a 12th pick.

How is KJ on defense? We need strong defender in starting lineup.. we CANT afford KJ, White, Giddey, Matas, Vooch to start the season.

Thats why I want strong twoway wing that can be slotted alongside Matas. If we really pick KJ, we need to start him off bench first season. We need balance in starting lineup.

Vooch I hope will be traded, but with stubborn dummie AK, you never know..

If the Bulls draft Jakucionis, I would hope that Coby may be on the way out (for perhaps that upgrade at C) and then bust out a line-up of: Dosunmu/Jakucionis/Giddey/Buzelis/Defensive C, maybe you replace Ayo with Lonzo (assuming he's healthy).

I don't know, I like the idea of having a bunch of guys who can make plays and also play off the ball.

[Rose2Boozer]

I'm I the only one who believes a Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue pairing could be problematic?
Buzelis or Essengue would have to develop into a knockdown shooter and the other a respectable three point shooter.

At 12, I have Thomas Sorber as the best player available, and hope he'll be AK's draft choice.

[GuardianEnzo]

Zero chance AK passes on another Lithuanian if KJ is still on the board.

[WesPeace]

I'm I the only one who believes a Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue pairing could be problematic?
Buzelis or Essengue would have to develop into a knockdown shooter and the other a respectable three point shooter.

At 12, I have Thomas Sorber as the best player available, and hope he'll be AK's draft choice.

I like Sorber the most among centers in that range, like him better than Queen, Newell, Wolf, etc..
Maluach will be gone before us anyway.
Beringer, Raynaud and Kalkbrenner most likely after #20 picks anyway. Kalk maybe early 2nd rounder.

Essengue is long term prospect, he can play, he will be good, but with Billy D, he will probably be much more off the court than on the court first season.He should at least play regular in Windy City first half of rookie season.

[Jvaughn]

He doesn't get talked about much, but Clayton is a lethal scorer, and way more athletic than people think. I think he's going to last awhile in this league.

Watch on YouTube

[kodo]

I'm I the only one who believes a Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue pairing could be problematic?
Buzelis or Essengue would have to develop into a knockdown shooter and the other a respectable three point shooter.

At 12, I have Thomas Sorber as the best player available, and hope he'll be AK's draft choice.

Not too worried because Matas is basically on track in just his rookie year. Post trade, per 36 he was averaging 6.6 attempts on 36% shooting.
Those are basically Buddy Hield numbers (6.7 attempts on 37%) who is a vet 32 year old sniper who only gets on rosters to shoot 3s. Per 36 minute, he's only taking 1 less 3 than Coby and hitting at the same #, and he's primarily a defender.

But 3P shooting is always at a premium, that's why CMB has some debate around him. But I do think catch & shoot 3 is learnable by a decent # of players. It's the old you can't teach length, motor, IQ thing. I wouldn't hate Noa or CMB and gamble they can learn to shoot.

[_txchilibowl_]

Zero chance AK passes on another Lithuanian if KJ is still on the board.

You don't really believe that do you? That AK would prioritize his nationality over selecting the BPA?

[Almost Retired]

He doesn't get talked about much, but Clayton is a lethal scorer, and way more athletic than people think. I think he's going to last awhile in this league.

Watch on YouTube

He will probably get picked between #40 and #50. I see him as being comparable to Jalen Brunson in a number of ways. They are comparable size wise and in their college stat lines. Brunson is more or a true point guard, while Clayton is like a short shooting guard. But if Clayton can develop the necessary point guard skills by working on his handle and floor leadership he could enjoy a lot of success. He certainly has the "clutch gene". He's the guy that always wants the ball with the game on the line. If we still have pick #45 and he's still on the board AKME has to consider hime. Especially is the developmental Centers like Sikarsky are off the board.

[jump]

Zero chance AK passes on another Lithuanian if KJ is still on the board.

You don't really believe that do you? That AK would prioritize his nationality over selecting the BPA?

I believe it because at pick #12, it's easy to justify picking KJ. The nationality thing doesn't even need to be discussed.

[_txchilibowl_]

Zero chance AK passes on another Lithuanian if KJ is still on the board.

You don't really believe that do you? That AK would prioritize his nationality over selecting the BPA?

I believe it because at pick #12, it's easy to justify picking KJ. The nationality thing doesn't even need to be discussed.

I agree with you but that's not what OP was saying. Or at least how I understood what he was saying.

[DuckIII]

Trade up for Maluach

Please and thank you

Trade up? You dont trade up in draft like this lol

Depends on prospect and depends on the cost, but in this draft I largely agree. There are small move ups I’d make though.

[NecessaryEvil]

Trade up for Maluach

Please and thank you

Trade up? You dont trade up in draft like this lol

He projects to be a franchise starting center

7”2 and exactly what we need with pass first guys like Giddey and Ball

I’d trade up for him or Ace Bailey, without hesitation

[Jcool0]

Read on Twitter

[Jvaughn]

He doesn't get talked about much, but Clayton is a lethal scorer, and way more athletic than people think. I think he's going to last awhile in this league.

Watch on YouTube

He will probably get picked between #40 and #50. I see him as being comparable to Jalen Brunson in a number of ways. They are comparable size wise and in their college stat lines. Brunson is more or a true point guard, while Clayton is like a short shooting guard. But if Clayton can develop the necessary point guard skills by working on his handle and floor leadership he could enjoy a lot of success. He certainly has the "clutch gene". He's the guy that always wants the ball with the game on the line. If we still have pick #45 and he's still on the board AKME has to consider hime. Especially is the developmental Centers like Sikarsky are off the board.

I'd actually be pretty surprised if he slipped out of the 1st round. His resume as well as the fact that he just led his team to a Natty should really boost his stock. Plus shooting is a premium right now. Someone is going to pick him in the 20s.

[2weekswithpay]

I'm I the only one who believes a Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue pairing could be problematic?
Buzelis or Essengue would have to develop into a knockdown shooter and the other a respectable three point shooter.

At 12, I have Thomas Sorber as the best player available, and hope he'll be AK's draft choice.

No. Essengue has shot up boards, but the offensive game is very raw. Most of Essengue's scoring comes from transition or drawing fouls, which may not translate. He can't score in the halfcourt because he can't shoot, and he doesn't have any ball skills.