2025 NBA Draft Lottery Preview: Chicago Bulls
Tyler Metcalf and Jam Hines continue the lottery previews for the 2025 NBA Draft with the Chicago Bulls and the 12th overall pick.
Metcalf: The Bulls are always a team that I really struggle to gauge where they’ll go in the draft because, for better or worse, they really just tend to do their own thing. Matas Buzelis looked like a really promising rookie this year, but they’ve pretty much whiffed on their draft swings otherwise. Jam, I’m going to take the coward’s way out here at the start and just ask you: what do you think the Bulls should do in this draft?
Jam: Haha, yeah, the Bulls really do seem to march to the beat of their own drum. If anything, you gotta respect that. They should still be looking for the best player available on their board, and it likely will align with their need for a big man. Enter Maryland’s Derik Queen, arguably the most skilled and unique big in the class. How do you feel about Queen in the Windy City and a big man as the selection?
Metcalf: I agree that they desperately need a big. I think a reliable scoring wing would also make a lot of sense, but let’s stick with the bigs for now. Queen has been the toughest evaluation for me in this class. I love the footwork and interior scoring, and I think he has way more passing upside than he got to show this year. I think he’d very quickly fix their interior scoring and rebounding issues. He’s a big upside swing that I would understand. However, I really worry about a lot of his game. I actually think he’ll be at least an OK shooter in the long run, even if the short-term stuff is unreliable. I’m not sure I buy the defense at all, and some of the work rate/body language stuff concerns me. Am I overthinking it? Does another big like Thomas Sorber make sense too?
Jam: I’m right there with you on Queen’s offense, but I’m a bit more encouraged by his defensive projection despite his athletic limitations. I understand that he’s not going to be an anchor or any real rim deterrent, and that’s a major issue. As an offensively tilted player, I’m trusting that he can at least become an impactful defensive playmaker (2.2 stocks per game) to provide enough value on that end. His mix of feel, quick hands, length, and strength can show up defensively both on and off the ball (especially in ball screens); it just all needs to be a bit more consistent. Yup, Sorber makes perfect sense and should be high on their board. I enjoyed getting to watch him up close at Georgetown. He’s a two-way big with defensive versatility, toughness, feel, and shooting upside. Is Chicago ready for Wendell Carter 2.0?
Metcalf: Oof, I know that comp gets thrown out a lot and Bulls fans will immediately run the other direction, but the upgraded version of Carter is a really fun player. If the Bulls do go with a big, though, assuming Khaman Maluach is gone already, it seems like we’re both in the same camp that it should be Queen. I think he’s the best upside play at that position, and you seem to be more confident in his all-around contributions; feel free to correct me if I’m wrong. If he’s gone, I still really like Sorber there, but he is more of a wild card and a developmental piece, which could lead to underwhelming results early on. What if they went wing, though? This team feels like they still really lack a reliable two-way wing, especially one who can provide some rim pressure. I don’t think they’ll be able to check all of those boxes at #12, but do any of Carter Bryant, Cedric Coward, Nique Clifford, Rasheer Fleming, or Liam McNeeley interest you there?
Jam: No offense to McNeely, but he’s the only prospect of those wings where selecting them at #12 is a little too rich for me. Although he’s probably the best shooter out of that group, he’s the only prospect in that group who doesn’t hold real two-way value. Bryant leads the way for me as a pass-dribble-shoot wing with positional size and athleticism plus shot-making upside. With his pedigree and tangible development in the later stretch of the season, he fits the bill of a 3-and-D plus wing who can help both in the short and long term. Coward is a close second; he’s a legit shooter with positional size and length, ball skills, and defensive tools. Should Clifford, Fleming, or McNeeley be ahead of Bryant and Coward on Chicago’s draft board?
Metcalf: I don’t think so, and they aren’t on mine either. I’m in the same boat as you. That would also be a bit rich for McNeeley for me as well. I do think it’s notable that we’re talking about this archetype and haven’t mentioned a guy who has been linked with them recently: Drake Powell. I’m still pretty intrigued by Powell as a prospect long-term, and I love his defense, but the offense is so far away. It’d shock me if they spent a lottery pick on him, and they’d have A LOT of questions to answer. Let’s wrap this up with a few questions. Who do you think they SHOULD take? Who do you think they WILL take? For me, if Bryant is there, I’d sprint to the podium. Otherwise, I think the swing on Queen makes a ton of sense. Given their track record, Powell or even Kasparas Jakucionis would fit, but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt and lean towards them taking Queen if he’s on the board.
Also, I want to shine at least a little bit of light on their second round pick at 45. Obviously, this is more of a flyer than anything, if not a trade piece. However, we see talent make it out of the second round all the time. Are there any names there that pique your interest? I think this could be a fun landing spot for a guy like RJ Luis if they’re looking for scoring or a Cameron Matthews if they’re looking to boost their defense.
Jam: We’re absolutely aligned here. It’s an Usain Bolt type of sprint to the podium if Bryant is still there, followed by Queen. I’m so glad you brought up Drake Powell. He’s the hot name being linked to Chicago, and the draft always has at least one shocker. Like you, I’m still a Powell believer, but I would feel much more comfortable selecting him either late in the first or early second.
Luis is an excellent name at 45, especially if Chicago goes with a big in the first round. Doubling up on wings isn’t a bad idea for this team either. It was the strangest end to a prospect’s season that I can remember, but I still have Luis with a late first round grade. Sticking with the same archetype, Jamir Watkins should be considered as well. Also, Chaz Lanier as an NBA-ready shooter who can provide bench punch playing off the ball is interesting here. No matter where Chicago decides to go with either pick, they should have the opportunity to grab an impact player and swing on a prospect who fits their needs.