2025 Draft prospects - thread 2

[Chi town]

I for one am glad to hear we are picking a direction on what this team should look like. Trying to follow the Pacers build is the way to go. Up tempo, athletic two way role players, led by a PG with size who can facilitate. No one can say the Pacers are built around a superstar, but rather 8-10 solid guys who play the right way and everyone can shoot it.

Now, no one on our roster is currently as good as Hali/Siakam/Turner, but its not a huge stretch to see Giddey/Coby/Matas developing into guys who can contribute at that level.

Maybe I’m overly optimistic, and I’m not suggesitng back to back ECFs is on the horizon, but I don’t see why this path is unattainable with our current pieces as the starting point.

Pacers are now asset poor and capped out due to Siakam trade. I don’t see much more of a ceiling for their players either. Mathurin and Walker haven’t done much of anything.

If AK makes solid moves we should be a good team as soon as 27 season. I firmly believe he will rush it and make an all in trade this deadline.

Sorry, but I don’t see how a team on the doorstep of heading to the Finals is “asset poor”. The sum of the parts is a damn good team that just knocked out Giannis, the 1 seed, and the Knicks. Thats a high ceiling if you ask me.

Haliburton, Siakam, Turner, Nesmith, Nembhard, Toppin, McConnell, Mathurin…all solid assets in any trade if you ask me

Pacers are peaking right time. Don’t forget they have been healthy in the playoffs while the Celts and Cavs lost some of their core players. Don’t think Pacers beat them healthy. Winning is winning though. I like Carlisle. Happy for them. Think they get whooped by OKC though.

[kodo]

KC saying Bulls want a player that fits their new pace style with two way players. They are following Pacers build and saying the will pick BPA even if it’s a guard.

I sure hope this is the case.

Noa is my pick and he def fits pace and defense.

CMB fits with an improved shot but not as well as he doesn’t fly up and down the court.

Coward and KJ play with high motors.

Demin fits the IQ passing and push pace pass ahead I guess.

Feels like Queen, Sorber don’t fit this.

https://www.bleachernation.com/bulls/2025/05/27/bulls-style-play-draft/

They've been interviewing guards, Tre Johnson and Kasparas.
Also interviewed CMB, Asa Newell, McNeely, Sorber.

It feels like they'll draft a guard if a high pick falls and drops in their lap (Tre, Kasparas) but otherwise go with the bigger guys.

[Red Larrivee]

Chasing trendy team builds rarely works.

Indiana seems a lot more attainable though for any team in general. None of this is built on draft luck, long tanking cycles or hitting big on a superstar free agent.

It's an enviable team. They may not win a championship, but they've struggled around the middle for years, made incremental smart moves over time, and built a deep team. It has some of the vibes those Raptors teams had.

[Bulldog23]

Noa is not going to be around, he reminds me of a better Brandon Ingram. Bulls should be going after Flemming who is a good power forward/center in a fast pace offense. Pat and Matas are wings and no length or standing reach to be effective as a frontline player.

[TheSuzerain]

Do we have any evidence of AK claiming they are following the Pacers build before this playoffs?

[Chi town]

Do we have any evidence of AK claiming they are following the Pacers build before this playoffs?

The 9-10 good players garbage he threw out there after the deadline.

[Chi town]

Noa is not going to be around, he reminds me of a better Brandon Ingram. Bulls should be going after Flemming who is a good power forward/center in a fast pace offense. Pat and Matas are wings and no length or standing reach to be effective as a frontline player.

I could see him gone too.

Ingram always had on ball juice. Noa hasn’t shown that. I’ve seen comps of Tayshaun Prince, Jeremi Grant, and McDaniels.

[Jcool0]

Seems everyone's draft crush for the Bulls at some point gets the "he will not be around at 12". If you are being looked at going out side of the top 10 you will have flaws that wont be overlooked by everyone. Some top 10 guy will fall to 12.

[Chi town]

Seems everyone's draft crush for the Bulls at some point gets the "he will not be around at 12". If you are being looked at going out side of the top 10 you will have flaws that wont be overlooked by everyone. Some top 10 guy will fall to 12.

Hoping it’s KJ

[The Box Office]

So Isiah Thomas couldn't hang in the NBA?
What about Allen Iverson?
John Stockton?
Muggsy Bogues?
Chris Paul?
BJ Armstrong
John Paxson

The "You're too skinny, you're too short, hey I'm scared for your safety because today's NBA is too physical approach" is basically..I don't know..useless excuse to avoid picking Jase Richardson. My dudes, just lift weights. That's all it takes. BTW, today's NBA is soft anyway.

Tyrese Haliburton himself is still skinny.

[Ballerkingn23]

IF CMB could shoot, he would be my ideal pick for us. But I don't trust that we could develop that side of his game if we drafted him or any other prospect for that matter due to the firing of Peter Patton.

Now I don't mind Demin, but why would you want 3 pass 1st pg's 6'8 ish guards on your roster if we keep Ball?

As for who I want us to pick it's Cedrick Coward!! I think he's going to be really good! And If he's there at 12 imo he's BPA!

Now I like us taking a big in the 2nd round with our pick. I think Hasen Yang,Maxime Raynaud will fall to that pick imo. And if not those 2 another big that's decent will be there. Either way we don't need a big until 2026 if we keep Collins and Smith, Vuc(technically). So we don't have to force that pick.

[2weekswithpay]

So Isiah Thomas couldn't hang in the NBA?
What about Allen Iverson?
John Stockton?
Muggsy Bogues?
Chris Paul?
BJ Armstrong
John Paxson

The "You're too skinny, you're too short, hey I'm scared for your safety because today's NBA is too physical approach" is basically..I don't know..useless excuse to avoid picking Jase Richardson. My dudes, just lift weights. That's all it takes. BTW, today's NBA is soft anyway.

Tyrese Haliburton himself is still skinny.

Outliers. 4 Hall of Famers and a guy that was 5'3. It's unlikely the league will ever have a player of Muggsy's size play again. There are plenty of players who had short careers or couldn't stay in the league because of their size.

Jevon Carter wasn't seen as a bad signing, but expecting him to replace Lonzo's impact was a foolish thing to do. What's the main reason why Jevon Carter can't be as effective as Lonzo, despite both players being 3&D guards?

Haliburton is still 6'5. He isn't a small guard.

[Jcool0]

Seems everyone's draft crush for the Bulls at some point gets the "he will not be around at 12". If you are being looked at going out side of the top 10 you will have flaws that wont be overlooked by everyone. Some top 10 guy will fall to 12.

Hoping it’s KJ

41% from 3 pre injury. I think he goes before 12.

[Jcool0]

So Isiah Thomas couldn't hang in the NBA?
What about Allen Iverson?
John Stockton?
Muggsy Bogues?
Chris Paul?
BJ Armstrong
John Paxson

The "You're too skinny, you're too short, hey I'm scared for your safety because today's NBA is too physical approach" is basically..I don't know..useless excuse to avoid picking Jase Richardson. My dudes, just lift weights. That's all it takes. BTW, today's NBA is soft anyway.

Tyrese Haliburton himself is still skinny.

Isaiah Thomas at one point was a 28 ppg guy for Boston. Was out of the league by 30. Even after averaging 30+ in the G-League he cant sniff an NBA roster.

[drosestruts]

Brunson is built like a fire hydrant and plays a could drawing game that is very physical.

Jase is pure finesse and I think he would really struggle with playoff intensity and physical play.

Lifting weights solves that problem of "struggling with playoff intensity and physical play." No one complained about young Scottie Pippen's wiry frame, Kobe's skinny body when he entered the league, and Wemby going number one.

You just choose two of the most physically gifted players I ever seen.

Pippen was 6'8 with a 7'4 wing span
Wemby is 7'4 with almost an 8 ft wingspan

Kobe was not on their level but he was 6'5 and 200 pounds coming out at 18.

Jase is 6'0. Flat short arms and is a decent athlete.

He is not physically special.

While I don't think this changes your overall point I would just like to point out that Jase does not have "short arms"

At the combine he measured 6'1.75" tall and has a 6'6" wingspan.

Yes he is short.

But he does not have short arms.

[Ice Man]

Isaiah Thomas at one point was a 28 ppg guy for Boston. Was out of the league by 30.

While you're right that short guards often have short NBA lifespans, in IT's case his career was abruptly ended by a hip injury -- a lesson in the danger of playing through pain.

[MrSparkle]

After initial intrigue… I’m 100% against drafting Jase Richardson. He has a high bust risk imo. 6’1 with 6’6 wingspan, no special passing chops and average athleticism is just not cutting it in the NBA. You have to work extra hard. Quickley has a taller wingspan, and he had a more specialized skill (3P shot). I think you’re making your life hard by hoping he translates at #12. I’d be comfortable taking this gamble at 20-30.

The secret sauce to OKC’s guard heavy rotation, is all their 6’3-6’6 guys actually have 6’9+ wingspans (and good athleticism). We’ve seen this over and over again; Lavine, Coby, Jevon… these guys have to work extra hard on defense. All sub 6’6 wingspans.

Then lo and behold… Ayo, Lonzo… 6’9 wingspans… Ayo’s barely playable on the offensive end sometimes, yet the coach gives him minutes. Other guy was essentially medically retired and coming back rusty as hell. Still positive impact.

This isn’t rocket science. Wingspan translates to the defensive end; target 6’9+ in the lottery, unless the guy has extraordinary offensive skills (vision, 3P, handles).

[drosestruts]

After initial intrigue… I’m 100% against drafting Jase Richardson. He has a high bust risk imo. 6’1 with 6’6 wingspan, no special passing chops and average athleticism is just not cutting it in the NBA. You have to work extra hard. Quickley has a taller wingspan, and he had a more specialized skill (3P shot). I think you’re making your life hard by hoping he translates at #12. I’d be comfortable taking this gamble at 20-30.

The secret sauce to OKC’s guard heavy rotation, is all their 6’3-6’6 guys actually have 6’9+ wingspans (and good athleticism). We’ve seen this over and over again; Lavine, Coby, Jevon… these guys have to work extra hard on defense. All sub 6’6 wingspans.

Then lo and behold… Ayo, Lonzo… 6’9 wingspans… Ayo’s barely playable on the offensive end sometimes, yet the coach gives him minutes. Other guy was essentially medically retired and coming back rusty as hell. Still positive impact.

This isn’t rocket science. Wingspan translates to the defensive end; target 6’9+ in the lottery, unless the guy has extraordinary offensive skills (vision, 3P, handles).

Quickley shot 1 percentage point better from 3 in college than Richardson (42.8 vs 41.2) on slightly less than 1 more attempt per game.

Richardson, in comparison to college Immanuel Quickley, had a better

2P%
FG%
TS%
EFG%
PER
WS/40
BPM
Rebounds
Assists
Blocks
Steals
Turnover

You're really going to ignore all of that over a 1.6 percentage point difference in 3P%?

[Dresden]

After initial intrigue… I’m 100% against drafting Jase Richardson. He has a high bust risk imo. 6’1 with 6’6 wingspan, no special passing chops and average athleticism is just not cutting it in the NBA. You have to work extra hard. Quickley has a taller wingspan, and he had a more specialized skill (3P shot). I think you’re making your life hard by hoping he translates at #12. I’d be comfortable taking this gamble at 20-30.

The secret sauce to OKC’s guard heavy rotation, is all their 6’3-6’6 guys actually have 6’9+ wingspans (and good athleticism). We’ve seen this over and over again; Lavine, Coby, Jevon… these guys have to work extra hard on defense. All sub 6’6 wingspans.

Then lo and behold… Ayo, Lonzo… 6’9 wingspans… Ayo’s barely playable on the offensive end sometimes, yet the coach gives him minutes. Other guy was essentially medically retired and coming back rusty as hell. Still positive impact.

This isn’t rocket science. Wingspan translates to the defensive end; target 6’9+ in the lottery, unless the guy has extraordinary offensive skills (vision, 3P, handles).

Seems like some basic traits to look for would be a long wing player (or pf/center) with above average athleticism and a high motor. At least the floor would be impact on the defensive end, good in the open court, and a threat on lobs. if they also can shoot, that's a plus. If they also can handle the ball, another plus. Good passing instincts, another plus.

But I'd rather start with the foundation of length, athletic ability, and motor, and then build out from there, rather than going with a player who lacks length, athleticism, and is passive, and hoping whatever other skills they have can outweigh those negatives.

To that point, Noa seems like a good target. You just hope he can learn to shoot.

[MrSparkle]

After initial intrigue… I’m 100% against drafting Jase Richardson. He has a high bust risk imo. 6’1 with 6’6 wingspan, no special passing chops and average athleticism is just not cutting it in the NBA. You have to work extra hard. Quickley has a taller wingspan, and he had a more specialized skill (3P shot). I think you’re making your life hard by hoping he translates at #12. I’d be comfortable taking this gamble at 20-30.

The secret sauce to OKC’s guard heavy rotation, is all their 6’3-6’6 guys actually have 6’9+ wingspans (and good athleticism). We’ve seen this over and over again; Lavine, Coby, Jevon… these guys have to work extra hard on defense. All sub 6’6 wingspans.

Then lo and behold… Ayo, Lonzo… 6’9 wingspans… Ayo’s barely playable on the offensive end sometimes, yet the coach gives him minutes. Other guy was essentially medically retired and coming back rusty as hell. Still positive impact.

This isn’t rocket science. Wingspan translates to the defensive end; target 6’9+ in the lottery, unless the guy has extraordinary offensive skills (vision, 3P, handles).

Quickley shot 1 percentage point better from 3 in college than Richardson (42.8 vs 41.2) on slightly less than 1 more attempt per game.

Richardson, in comparison to college Immanuel Quickley, had a better

2P%
FG%
TS%
EFG%
PER
WS/40
BPM
Rebounds
Assists
Blocks
Steals
Turnover

You're really going to ignore all of that over a 1.6 percentage point difference in 3P%?

Well, first off… College attempts and makes keep going up… and 6Y is a decent chunk of time in the fast moving evolution of the sport.

Jase’s volume is lower in an era of higher attempts. Quickley was/is a definitively more specialized 3P shooter. Bit disingenuous to argue that. Kind of like saying Thybulle and Durant are similar 3P shooters due to their %1 difference.

You’re taking Jase for his handles, triple-threat, higher usage. Just saying, this is a bigger gamble than drafting the specialist 3D guy.