Bulls Draft Prospects Discussion

[clonetrooper264]

Figure might as well have a thread to put thoughts on the upcoming draft and who the Bulls should pick.

As of today, it is exceedingly probable that the Bulls will land the #8 pick in the draft and I doubt in terms of odds that there will be much variance to that. There is always a chance that the Bulls could jump into the top 4, but there's also a chance they could get jumped themselves and land in the 9th or 10th spot. I figure if the Bulls do get lucky and land in the top 3 then of course you go with one of Flagg, Bailey, or Harper, whoever is available. The discussion between 4-10 is probably more of a toss up.

 

[clonetrooper264]

From what I can see thus far, at #8 several mocks have Bulls selecting Duke's Khaman Maluach, a 7'2 C from South Sudan.

In the little footage I've seen of him, he doesn't seem very featured in Duke's offense, for obvious reasons, and acts mostly as a lob threat and cleanup guy. He can shoot 3s supposedly, but his volume and percentage are super low so it's hard to tell how true that is. Free throw percentage seems to indicate he's not inept at shooting though. His shot blocking numbers don't wow you, but he does seem capable enough on that end.

I can see the potential here, but at most I see him being a Walker Kessler type player with more shooting range. Maybe Bol Bol without the mobility (not that he's completely immobile, but I don't see him crossing anyone over). He's super young, scouts like that usually. I doubt he'd thrive here in Chicago, mostly because I don't trust the player development for a player like him here...they'll find a way to mess him up.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Someone I expect to be at the top of AK's draft board, presuming the Bulls do not land in the top 3, is Illinois' Kasparas Jakucionis, a 6'6 G from Lithuania. The immediate reasons are obvious...he's Lithuanian, he's a guard, and he plays for Illinois.

Biased reasoning aside, Jakucionis is the main cog for Illinois, as far as I can tell. Other people who have watched him more than me have said he takes a lot of difficult shots which is why his 3pt% is so low. He's a guy I could see Chicago fans liking a lot if his hustle is as advertised. Super high turnovers too, but probably because he has to do everything for his team. I don't see superstar in him personally, but he could be a very solid player who does a bit of everything, maybe there could be All Star potential in him. He can definitely get some buckets.

This guy says a lot more than I can

 

[Enasic]

Never seen him play but those measurables and deep ball are what you’re looking for.

https://x.com/esidery/status/1897659063678193676

In all likelihood though AK will draft a dud.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Never seen him play but those measurables and deep ball are what you’re looking for.

https://x.com/esidery/status/1897659063678193676

In all likelihood though AK will draft a dud.

This particular fellow seems to be projected in the 20s, for whatever reason, but I know nothing about him other than what's in that tweet.

How much of a dud AK drafts probably also depends on where the pick lands. The chances of landing a superstar talent naturally drops dramatically the further you go in the draft, but always a chance to strike gold.

Personally, if drafting outside the top 4, I don't expect anything more than a high level role player at best because 1) we don't have a reason to trust AK with early picks and 2) we don't have a reason to trust player development staff. Plus, at #8 you probably have a higher chance of draft a player on the level of Frank Ntilikina or Nik Stauskas than you do of Jamal Crawford or Franz Wagner (everyone's favorite #8 pick).

Long story short, I'm not anticipating a franchise cornerstone anyway

 

[Enasic]

This particular fellow seems to be projected in the 20s, for whatever reason, but I know nothing about him other than what's in that tweet.

How much of a dud AK drafts probably also depends on where the pick lands. The chances of landing a superstar talent naturally drops dramatically the further you go in the draft, but always a chance to strike gold.

Personally, if drafting outside the top 4, I don't expect anything more than a high level role player at best because 1) we don't have a reason to trust AK with early picks and 2) we don't have a reason to trust player development staff. Plus, at #8 you probably have a higher chance of draft a player on the level of Frank Ntilikina or Nik Stauskas than you do of Jamal Crawford or Franz Wagner (everyone's favorite #8 pick).

Long story short, I'm not anticipating a franchise cornerstone anyway

Oh wow a nik stauskas reference…honestly thought he’d be a better pro than he was. Silly me.

 

[clonetrooper264]

Oh wow a nik stauskas reference…honestly thought he’d be a better pro than he was. Silly me.

I think Stauskas was partially ruined by the situation he was put into initially (Sacramento) but even with a better opportunity in Philly he just couldn't do enough to stick.

Just goes to show how much of a crap shoot the draft can be also. Part of why I have a hard time imagining anyone the Bulls drafting being anything more than a role player.

 

[Probie2429]

The Fleming highlight video gave me Tyrus Thomas shivers.

 

[Crystallas]

Khaman Maluach is a good pickup. I'd do that.Usually I don't care for mocks, as they are 90% wrong outside the top-3 as far as player turnout. Mocks push hype more than actual scouting ranks. But the mocks that have us picking Maluach... Yes please. That's a no brainer.

Deep 2nd round, and the Bulls have no picks.
Trey Kaufman-Renn isn't on anyone mock. Undrafted FA, steal this guy before he gets on everyones radar.