2025 Draft prospects - thread 3

[boozapalooza]

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

Could Hansen Yang be a draft and stash for us? Thats my guy in round 2. Chinese Jokic.

[Jcool0]

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

I'd would love either CMB or KJ at 12.

[MrSparkle]

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?

I think Malauch is low-ceiling. At best, he'll be a defensive star like Gobert, but he also doesn't vacuum the glass or have lower body strength to immediately be that type of guaranteed DPOY type.

[TheJordanRule]

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?

I think Malauch is low-ceiling. At best, he'll be a defensive star like Gobert, but he also doesn't vacuum the glass or have lower body strength to immediately be that type of guaranteed DPOY type.

At best he wouldn't vacuum the glass? You're too skeptical, brother. He won't be an immediate DPOY, but that's a bit absurd to hope for that from a rookie. The level of your bias is a bit unreasonable / unfair.

[Muzbar]

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

Ace rumours?

[Jcool0]

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

Ace rumours?

Then there’s the wild card in all of this. The enigma that is Ace Bailey. He’s reportedly “shrunk” from his winter listing of 6-10 to now being just over 6-7, he’s canceled interviews with every team and refused to work out for anyone.

One rumor is that he wants to play in a major market where he feels he can be the main attraction, so there’s some self-sabotage going on. Could that market be the Bulls? Considering Karnisovas has pick No. 12 and there’s no indication he’s looking to move up even if Bailey slides to Nos. 6 or 7 it’s very unlikely.

But it’s out there. Just like all the other floating debris.

[DuckIII]

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.

I think NBA GMs are missing it as well. Just watched his interview with Andy Katz, and he said the guys he watches to learn from are Luka for passing, Brunson for scoring, and Nembhard for defense.

KJ is a pure winner. And a ridiculously talented one at that. At the end of the day I don't see Matas happening twice. KJ will be gone before we pick.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

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

I would also be fine with that shortlist. Then hopefully someone like Rocco or Yang are available at #45. Just another center prospect. I haven't looked it up, but have they worked out any of those 3 guys (Essengue, CMB, Newell)?

[DuckIII]

Draft and stash? Just buy out Carter's sorry ass and open the roster spot.

[ThisGuyFawkes]

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.

I think NBA GMs are missing it as well. Just watched his interview with Andy Katz, and he said the guys he watches to learn from are Luka for passing, Brunson for scoring, and Nembhard for defense.

KJ is a pure winner. And a ridiculously talented one at that. At the end of the day I don't see Matas happening twice. KJ will be gone before we pick.

I agree. KJ is my dream target. His biggest "issue" might be the turnovers, but I think that improves with NBA spacing and competence. He definitely could be the Luka of this draft, and to grab him at #12 would be insane (even if he's a poor mans Luka).

[TheJordanRule]

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

I'm extremely high on Beringer, but he's gonna come out of the gate unpolished and relatively irrelevant on offense. If you want us to stink it up, for a potential long term advantage that may or may not come with his development, I understand but I completely disagree with you. Rebuilds are rarely successfully built in a vacuum. The last time something like that happened was the 76ers who made the wise decision to wait on Embiid. Team chemistry and culture must be tended to, not just "also" during a rebuild, but especially. Losing has a way of bleeding player motivation, work ethic, and mindset in adversity, and therefore player development-- which should be the primary focus during any rebuild's initial stages--will suffer if we get too long term focused in what we do. Drafting Maluach means we'll have a guy who can contribute alleyoops with Giddey on offense while bringing the defense and rebounding. Maluach must develop his game further, but he is still much further along than Beringer.

[nomorezorro]

I would also be fine with that shortlist. Then hopefully someone like Rocco or Yang are available at #45. Just another center prospect. I haven't looked it up, but have they worked out any of those 3 guys (Essengue, CMB, Newell)?

newell worked out with us, essengue hasn't worked out with anybody (because he's been playing in europe the entire process), and i don't recall reading that we've worked out CMB but we did meet with him at the combine

[BullsSD]

If AKME picks CMB and he busts, it may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I just don't know if I can engage next year watching CMB clank 4 footers and airball freethrows:

It's so obvious when people have half assed scouting a player.

On the contrary sir I’ve done a deep dive into all of these potential first round picks as well as fringe second round.

I don’t like his size and I don’t think his game translates to NBA level. If he can have a dawg mentality he will have a career, but there are far less risky picks and far better players who fit a BD system.

I’d counter it’s obvious when someone sets their heart on a player and is unwilling to objectively look at criticisms.

[Jcool0]

If AKME picks CMB and he busts, it may be the straw that breaks the camel's back. I just don't know if I can engage next year watching CMB clank 4 footers and airball freethrows:

It's so obvious when people have half assed scouting a player.

On the contrary sir I’ve done a deep dive into all of these potential first round picks as well as fringe second round.

I don’t like his size and I don’t think his game translates to NBA level. If he can have a dawg mentality he will have a career, but there are far less risky picks and far better players who fit a BD system.

I’d counter it’s obvious when someone sets their heart on a player and is unwilling to objectively look at criticisms.

"airball freethrows" He makes 70% on 6 attempts.

[BullsSD]

Draft and stash? Just buy out Carter's sorry ass and open the roster spot.

THIS.

But *Reinsdorf*

[BullsSD]

It's so obvious when people have half assed scouting a player.

On the contrary sir I’ve done a deep dive into all of these potential first round picks as well as fringe second round.

I don’t like his size and I don’t think his game translates to NBA level. If he can have a dawg mentality he will have a career, but there are far less risky picks and far better players who fit a BD system.

I’d counter it’s obvious when someone sets their heart on a player and is unwilling to objectively look at criticisms.

"airball freethrows" He makes 70% on 6 attempts.

He’s one of the worst shooting prospects in NBA history. The league is built around offense, not defense. In the playoffs, weaknesses get exposed. In the playoffs, he will be unplayable. 6’6” and can’t shoot. He’s an innate liability if pillar of a lineup, period.

Look at the combine, he was air balling wide open shots. Missing left, missing right, air short. Elbow in different positions and flaring out the longer the distance. Terrible form and consistency from anywhere outside of the paint. It’s a train wreck of a shot and he wouldn’t be a candidate for the NBA if not for amazing defense.

He averages 2 assists a game and he is NOT Draymond. He’s elite defender, sure, but the holes in his game are GLARING.

What will smart teams do? Not guard him.

How does this affect the pick and roll when every team goes under. Now our core is jammed up.

This is a whiff of a pick and I pray to God we don’t fall into this trap. He has the highest odds of lottery candidates to flare out of the league in 4 years.

[kodo]

Latest rumors are that Queen & Noa are in the top 10 range now, 2 of the 3 Bulls reported targets by KC.
It will be interesting if the Bulls just go down their list or if they just pick up a guy that drops without the workout.

[Muzbar]

Latest rumors are that Queen & Noa are in the top 10 range now, 2 of the 3 Bulls reported targets by KC.
It will be interesting if the Bulls just go down their list or if they just pick up a guy that drops without the workout.

Kasparas Jakucionis

[Jcool0]

On the contrary sir I’ve done a deep dive into all of these potential first round picks as well as fringe second round.

I don’t like his size and I don’t think his game translates to NBA level. If he can have a dawg mentality he will have a career, but there are far less risky picks and far better players who fit a BD system.

I’d counter it’s obvious when someone sets their heart on a player and is unwilling to objectively look at criticisms.

"airball freethrows" He makes 70% on 6 attempts.

He’s one of the worst shooting prospects in NBA history.

so then this is 100% made up: "On the contrary sir I’ve done a deep dive into all of these potential first round picks as well as fringe second round"

[_txchilibowl_]

I just hope we get a contributor. Either side of the ball, doesn't matter to me. Anything more from a #12 pick is gravy.