2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[Jcool0]

Maluach seems to be work the risk of trading future assets. But if that deal is not available, I hope AK at least gets another pick in the 20s and grabs Kalkbrenner or Beringer or Reynaud. We need two new talents to keep this rebuild moving forward.

Bulls probably wont have a roster spot for a 2nd 1st.

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[sco]

Maluach seems to be work the risk of trading future assets. But if that deal is not available, I hope AK at least gets another pick in the 20s and grabs Kalkbrenner or Beringer or Reynaud. We need two new talents to keep this rebuild moving forward.

Bulls probably wont have a roster spot for a 2nd 1st.

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I think a deal to buy-out Carter at a discount (on the premise he could get a vet min deal somewhere else that he could actually get minutes) is a pretty straight-forward proposition.

I am rooting hard for us to trade #45 to enable us to be rid of Vuc.

[nomorezorro]

we have so much time to do a consolidation trade or just buy carter out. i really don't get the idea that we would need to avoid adding a second rookie

[MrSparkle]

That just isn't true at all. AK probably wont trade up because he just doesn't make bold moves like that. But it would be nice to take that kind of swing.

Trade assets on our asset starved team for a guy with zero shooting and ballhandling threat outside the paint?

The Portland asset just became a tangible piece. What else do we have to move up? If Vuc’s the piece, then that’s fine, but I don’t want to give up more picks to get a defensive specialist.

To move up lets say 4 spots would cost Chicago 12 + a future top 10 protected first. Bulls need exactly what Malauch provides being 7'2", rim protection. He also has the upside to be more then just rim protection and rim running.

That seems like an insanely risky trade for AK, given his history of 11-12 range picks.

If Malauch had a definitive offensive skillset I’d consider it, but he doesn’t. He’s an efficient finisher and putback/garbageman. You don’t trade 2 FRPs for that.

[Jcool0]

Trade assets on our asset starved team for a guy with zero shooting and ballhandling threat outside the paint?

The Portland asset just became a tangible piece. What else do we have to move up? If Vuc’s the piece, then that’s fine, but I don’t want to give up more picks to get a defensive specialist.

To move up lets say 4 spots would cost Chicago 12 + a future top 10 protected first. Bulls need exactly what Malauch provides being 7'2", rim protection. He also has the upside to be more then just rim protection and rim running.

That seems like an insanely risky trade for AK, given his history of 11-12 range picks.

If Malauch had a definitive offensive skillset I’d consider it, but he doesn’t. He’s an efficient finisher and putback/garbageman. You don’t trade 2 lotto picks for that.

Hey if you can figure out which guy dropping to 12 will be a future All-NBA level player, that would be awesome. But there have been whole drafts were 10-13 didn't pan out. So there is no guarantees.

[Red Larrivee]

Maluach seems to be work the risk of trading future assets. But if that deal is not available, I hope AK at least gets another pick in the 20s and grabs Kalkbrenner or Beringer or Reynaud. We need two new talents to keep this rebuild moving forward.

Bulls probably wont have a roster spot for a 2nd 1st.

Read on Twitter

I think a deal to buy-out Carter at a discount (on the premise he could get a vet min deal somewhere else that he could actually get minutes) is a pretty straight-forward proposition.

I am rooting hard for us to trade #45 to enable us to be rid of Vuc.

Why would you move anything to get rid of Vuc? He's not a bad contract anymore. You can just buy him out.

[MrSparkle]

To move up lets say 4 spots would cost Chicago 12 + a future top 10 protected first. Bulls need exactly what Malauch provides being 7'2", rim protection. He also has the upside to be more then just rim protection and rim running.

That seems like an insanely risky trade for AK, given his history of 11-12 range picks.

If Malauch had a definitive offensive skillset I’d consider it, but he doesn’t. He’s an efficient finisher and putback/garbageman. You don’t trade 2 lotto picks for that.

Hey if you can figure out which guy dropping to 12 will be a future All-NBA level player, that would be awesome. But there have been whole drafts were 10-13 didn't pan out. So there is no guarantees.

I'd say there have been about as many All-NBA caliber guys from 11-16 as there are 5-10.

2017: Fox (5), Lauri (7) & Mitchell (13), Bam (15)
2018: Trae (5) & Shai (11)
2019: Coby (7) & Herro (12) * bad draft
2020: Deni (9) & Haliburton (12)
2021: Wagner (8) & Sengun (16)
2022: Dyson Daniels (7) & Jalen Williams (12)
2023: Cason Wallace (10) & Lively (12) * looking like a very weak draft, besides Wemby & Amen
2024: Clingan (7), Edey (9) & Matas (11), Ware (15) * TBD

Of course no guarantees at all, but if I'm looking at a ~15% "hit" regardless of that +/- 5 spot, I'm not trading two shots for one. Portland projects right around 15-18, so I'll ride those odds!

IMO, teams in the 5-10 zone get too cute, overthink the decision and skip the no-brainers, whereas scouts in the 11+ range have way less options to mull over, and focus on getting the best player left. There's been a late lotto star in almost every draft.

For comparison sake, my eyes (and most the numbers, besides for AA stat-stuffers like Edey) suggest to me that this year's 12th pick options are top-6 picks in the prior few drafts.

Noa > Salaun
CMB > Jarace, Hendricks, etc.
Fears > Dillingham
Carter > Holland, Brandon Miller, Cody Williams
Queen > Edey
Malauch > Bilal
Sorber > Clingan
Egor, even Saraf > Black
Etc.

[Muzbar]

Brooklyn needs a point guard, right. How about we sign and trade Tre Jones and #12 for #8. They can absorb his contract without having to send anything back, or they can send someone back if the deal needs that. Of course, since they can just sign him as a FA, I guess we would have to include the Portland pick. In any case, it seems like the Nets could be the best target for trading up.

You can't sign and trade players before free agency.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

What is the thought on Carter Bryant? I don't see him mentioned much and I don't think he's anyone's draft darling.

Prototypical wing (6'8" with 7' wingspan). Nice vertical. Gets a lot of steals/blocks. Can guard 1-4. Solid 3pt shooting form. Great playing off-ball with cuts. Plays physical.

Questionable ball handling and creation. Fouls a lot (too physical at times). Streaky shooter.

I think he could fit really well next to Giddey and Matas. Start off as a 3&D guy while working on improving the handle. He could be anywhere from PJ Washington, Trevor Ariza all the way to Tatum.

He feels like a Pax pick.

Watch on YouTube

[HomoSapien]

What is the thought on Carter Bryant? I don't see him mentioned much and I don't think he's anyone's draft darling.

Prototypical wing (6'8" with 7' wingspan). Nice vertical. Gets a lot of steals/blocks. Can guard 1-4. Solid 3pt shooting form. Great playing off-ball with cuts. Plays physical.

Questionable ball handling and creation. Fouls a lot (too physical at times). Streaky shooter.

I think he could fit really well next to Giddey and Matas. Start off as a 3&D guy while working on improving the handle. He could be anywhere from PJ Washington, Trevor Ariza all the way to Tatum.

He feels like a Pax pick.

Watch on YouTube

My thought is that despite his obvious potential and gifts, we can’t bungle another draft pick by drafting someone who wasn’t good enough to start on the college level.

[nomorezorro]

i instinctually like carter bryant a lot because he popped off the screen the first game i watched him in and i think his general archetype is a perfect fit for what we wanna do (plus defender + plus athlete who can generate turnovers and feast in transition, plus a potential floor spacer)

that being said, my understanding is that prospects like him who show very little self-creation ability before entering the draft have a really bad track record. also have heard/read some analysts who questioned his instincts/motor and said some metrics don't really back up the idea of him being an impact defender

i wouldn't be mad if we picked him, because like i said, i liked what i saw and i think the path to success is pretty clear. but the closer we get to the draft, the more i'm thinking it would be wiser to acquire another first-round pick and draft drake powell in the ~20s if you want a player who fits the same kind of archetype

[CROBulls]

What is the thought on Carter Bryant? I don't see him mentioned much and I don't think he's anyone's draft darling.

Prototypical wing (6'8" with 7' wingspan). Nice vertical. Gets a lot of steals/blocks. Can guard 1-4. Solid 3pt shooting form. Great playing off-ball with cuts. Plays physical.

Questionable ball handling and creation. Fouls a lot (too physical at times). Streaky shooter.

I think he could fit really well next to Giddey and Matas. Start off as a 3&D guy while working on improving the handle. He could be anywhere from PJ Washington, Trevor Ariza all the way to Tatum.

He feels like a Pax pick.

Watch on YouTube

He is mine "favorite". I actually think he is more skilled than given credit for and he would excell in Giddey's offense. Guys like him gonna enjoy to play at more space than college ball also. He also plays bigger than his official height is. And most important he has v10 engine.

[Muzbar]

What is the thought on Carter Bryant? I don't see him mentioned much and I don't think he's anyone's draft darling.

Prototypical wing (6'8" with 7' wingspan). Nice vertical. Gets a lot of steals/blocks. Can guard 1-4. Solid 3pt shooting form. Great playing off-ball with cuts. Plays physical.

Questionable ball handling and creation. Fouls a lot (too physical at times). Streaky shooter.

I think he could fit really well next to Giddey and Matas. Start off as a 3&D guy while working on improving the handle. He could be anywhere from PJ Washington, Trevor Ariza all the way to Tatum.

He feels like a Pax pick.

Watch on YouTube

He's number 2 on my list after Kasparas Jakucionis. But I get why people are dubious about drafting him.

[DuckIII]

I’d stay put and take Beringer over moving up for Maluach.

Me too. I’d take Maluach at 12 or would trade up minimally for him with a role player type asset. But there are only two guys conceivably available in trade I’d make a “real” move to acquire and they are Ace and KJ.

Hard pass on trading anything that really matters for Maluach. But I do like him.

[MrSparkle]

What is the thought on Carter Bryant? I don't see him mentioned much and I don't think he's anyone's draft darling.

Prototypical wing (6'8" with 7' wingspan). Nice vertical. Gets a lot of steals/blocks. Can guard 1-4. Solid 3pt shooting form. Great playing off-ball with cuts. Plays physical.

Questionable ball handling and creation. Fouls a lot (too physical at times). Streaky shooter.

I think he could fit really well next to Giddey and Matas. Start off as a 3&D guy while working on improving the handle. He could be anywhere from PJ Washington, Trevor Ariza all the way to Tatum.

He feels like a Pax pick.

Watch on YouTube

My thought is that despite his obvious potential and gifts, we can’t bungle another draft pick by drafting someone who wasn’t good enough to start on the college level.

I'm also weary of this. I understand if your college-5 is loaded with NBA prospects, or you start behind an older player and eventually win the starting job... but 5 random starts in the whole season? Combined with very low production.

I don't get why this isn't an automatic red flag. I bought the kool-aid on Patrick Williams, but not doing that again.

Reed and Dillingham (both came off UK's bench) continue to demonstrate it shouldn't be dismissed as a red flag, of sorts. The level of competition is so low, comparatively. He looks like a solid role-player, but I prefer Bulls avoid him.

[Jcool0]

That seems like an insanely risky trade for AK, given his history of 11-12 range picks.

If Malauch had a definitive offensive skillset I’d consider it, but he doesn’t. He’s an efficient finisher and putback/garbageman. You don’t trade 2 lotto picks for that.

Hey if you can figure out which guy dropping to 12 will be a future All-NBA level player, that would be awesome. But there have been whole drafts were 10-13 didn't pan out. So there is no guarantees.

I'd say there have been about as many All-NBA caliber guys from 11-16 as there are 5-10.

2017: Fox (5), Lauri (7) & Mitchell (13), Bam (15)
2018: Trae (5) & Shai (11)
2019: Coby (7) & Herro (12) * bad draft
2020: Deni (9) & Haliburton (12)
2021: Wagner (8) & Sengun (16)
2022: Dyson Daniels (7) & Jalen Williams (12)
2023: Cason Wallace (10) & Lively (12) * looking like a very weak draft, besides Wemby & Amen
2024: Clingan (7), Edey (9) & Matas (11), Ware (15) * TBD

Fox? Coby? Herro? Edey? Ware? Lively? Wallace? Daniels? I said All NBA not okay to good starters.

[MrSparkle]

Hey if you can figure out which guy dropping to 12 will be a future All-NBA level player, that would be awesome. But there have been whole drafts were 10-13 didn't pan out. So there is no guarantees.

I'd say there have been about as many All-NBA caliber guys from 11-16 as there are 5-10.

2017: Fox (5), Lauri (7) & Mitchell (13), Bam (15)
2018: Trae (5) & Shai (11)
2019: Coby (7) & Herro (12) * bad draft
2020: Deni (9) & Haliburton (12)
2021: Wagner (8) & Sengun (16)
2022: Dyson Daniels (7) & Jalen Williams (12)
2023: Cason Wallace (10) & Lively (12) * looking like a very weak draft, besides Wemby & Amen
2024: Clingan (7), Edey (9) & Matas (11), Ware (15) * TBD

Coby? Herro? Edey? Ware? Lively? Wallace? Daniels? I said All NBA not okay to good starters.

They were the best guys in the draft at those ranges. The point was to show that the 5-10 crop was not any better than 11-16 (coincidentally, it was worse, most years). The 3 best players (Shai, Haliburton, Mitchell) were 11-12-13. My main point, being that I don't think it's worth trading up to 6-10 unless it's a totally meaningless asset (like Vuc). Malauch being the target makes it even less appealing. Glad for him to drop, but I'm not trading an asset for a shot-block and catch-and-dunk specialist.

Regardless what happens, the point is that almost every year, 11-16 has atleast 1 very good, all-star caliber player. You can't just give that pick away, or burn it on a low-ceiling prospect.

[Jcool0]

I'd say there have been about as many All-NBA caliber guys from 11-16 as there are 5-10.

2017: Fox (5), Lauri (7) & Mitchell (13), Bam (15)
2018: Trae (5) & Shai (11)
2019: Coby (7) & Herro (12) * bad draft
2020: Deni (9) & Haliburton (12)
2021: Wagner (8) & Sengun (16)
2022: Dyson Daniels (7) & Jalen Williams (12)
2023: Cason Wallace (10) & Lively (12) * looking like a very weak draft, besides Wemby & Amen
2024: Clingan (7), Edey (9) & Matas (11), Ware (15) * TBD

Coby? Herro? Edey? Ware? Lively? Wallace? Daniels? I said All NBA not okay to good starters.

They were the best guys in the draft at those ranges. The point was to show that the 5-10 crop was not any better than 11-16 (coincidentally, it was worse, most years). The 3 best players (Shai, Haliburton, Mitchell) were 11-12-13. My main point, being that I don't think it's worth trading up to 6-10 unless it's a totally meaningless asset (like Vuc). Malauch being the target makes it even less appealing. Glad for him to drop, but I'm not trading an asset for a shot-block and catch-and-dunk specialist.

Regardless what happens, the point is that almost every year, 11-16 has atleast 1 very good, all-star caliber player. You can't just give that pick away, or burn it on a low-ceiling prospect.

No one the Bulls have been linked to in a trade up is low ceiling did you mean low floor?

[nomorezorro]

cowley:

All signs point to the Bulls selecting a frontcourt player with defensive specialist Collin Murray-Boyles in the lead out of the gate, especially if they feel good about a Williams deal happening. Noa Essengue and Asa Newell are also possibilities.

If Karnisovas opts to go guard — like a Kasparas Jakucionis or an Egor Demin — it’s safe to say that Ball or White will be on the move.

also throws cold water on the ace rumors.

i am honestly perfectly content with cmb/essengue/newell as our shortlist. i've gotten weirdly antsy about guys with potential defensive shortcomings over the past few days

[TheJordanRule]

i like jakucionis, but him being a consensus top 6 guy in january doesn't matter at all unless you have hard evidence that his fall-off in january-march was because of injury

I've mentioned this before, but I have a contact within the Illini athletic department who told me back during the season that his "decline" was entirely due to the injury and behind the scenes it was much more painful than the team would let on because they didn't want the other teams to know.

Take it however you want, but it clicks completely with what I saw on the court. He's going to be a stud. I don't even use qualifiers with him like he's going to be a stud "if he does X." I consider him a can't miss prospect with a high, locked in floor. Does he have "superstar" franchise player as his ceiling? I don't think so. But does he have a championship caliber game all full of winning elements? No doubt about it.

I don't know how the board misses the boat with KJ, Duck. That Lonzo-ish level of intelligence is rarely ever even draftable. The upside is a, "What if Larry Bird was a SG?" Brilliant perimeter scorer. Craftier than anyone else in the draft, period.