Eh, last top 5 pick for the Clippers made 6 all star games in his NBA career. Nets have done alright despite not drafting in the lottery since 2010 until 2025. Got an all-star in Jarrett Allen at #22 in 2017 and both teams drafted several players who have had long productive NBA careers. Not sure what you expect from teams consistently drafting in the 20s and high teens.
NBA Draft
- Status
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Bulls get the easiest pick in the draft. Just take whoever falls to you.
Between the lottery, the Portland pick conveying, and replacing AKME with a reputed top scout, the prospects of this draft for the Bulls have improved to an astonishing degree in the past two months.
This is a golden opportunity to turn the ship around.
As for Keaton Wagler, to be totally honest I'd kinda rather he fall to a team that wants to use him on-ball rather than be shoehorned next to a ball-dominant player. I just think being able to orchestrate is better for his development.
Between the lottery, the Portland pick conveying, and replacing AKME with a reputed top scout, the prospects of this draft for the Bulls have improved to an astonishing degree in the past two months.
This is a golden opportunity to turn the ship around.
As for Keaton Wagler, to be totally honest I'd kinda rather he fall to a team that wants to use him on-ball rather than be shoehorned next to a ball-dominant player. I just think being able to orchestrate is better for his development.
Heck, I'd say the top 8 in this draft would have gone 1 in 2024 (though everyone sees Castle should have gone 1 now).
This would be what I think would be a slam-dunk draft by the Bulls FO:
1. Hope the top 3 drafters are wowed by Peterson and Wilson's athleticism, so Boozer falls to them at 4.
2. Use what other capital you have to try to get a second pick in the top 8.
3. Use that pick to draft one of the 4 tier 2 lead guards (Wagler, Acuff, Flemmings, Burries)
4. Suddenly be a fun young team to watch
1. Hope the top 3 drafters are wowed by Peterson and Wilson's athleticism, so Boozer falls to them at 4.
2. Use what other capital you have to try to get a second pick in the top 8.
3. Use that pick to draft one of the 4 tier 2 lead guards (Wagler, Acuff, Flemmings, Burries)
4. Suddenly be a fun young team to watch
He's going to play alot as a rook (even if it's a bench role). Truth is, you're not going to be a top 5 pick in this loaded a draft if GM's think you can't even get on the court.
Would the Clippers not use him on-ball? I don't think they're all-in on Garland. If they take Keaton with #5, they're going to give him opportunities. Could see a scenario where if Keaton does well early on they use Garland as a trade chip.
That would be amazing, but I'm not sure the Bulls have enough capital to pull that off. Everyone is looking at those 5-8 picks as being very valuable. Like top 3 pick in a typical draft, maybe even better than that. How much would it take? 3 firsts? The #15 pick in this draft, 2027 first round, 2029 first round? Would that even get it done? I'm not sure.
Stats comparison of the "Big 4" point guards:
What stands out with Wagler is that OREB%.
What stands out with Wagler is that OREB%.
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
Did he do Bulls color commentary? Maybe with Jim Durham?
BG not necessarily tied to Giddey. Think that Wagler would get plenty of opportunity to show his orchestration skills.
Yes for one year 1991 that was Durham last year on Bulls radio I think
OrangeBlue98
Iowa is not in a great spot right now (LvilleILL1)
- Des Moines, IA
Pretty much what I was thinking. Guess there’s always a remote chance given Wagler is “qualified” and has Illini ties, but it does feel like the top 4 are locked in except for the specific order.
His "Hakeem Pct" stat is interesting as well. This stat measures defensive disruption (the percentage a possession ends with a steal or a block by the player).
This is surprising considering he played on the team that defensively had the lowest turnover and steal % in all of D-1 college basketball.
I also felt obliged to comment on this one since I had to Google what it was (actually Google wouldn't even come up with anything, I had to look this one up with ChatGPT).
That would be a typical pick for the Bulls @15 if true...hopefully doesn't happen...
Epsilon
M tipping over
- Pdx
KB has to play on the same team as Boyd.
As a Pistons fan, let me just say that’s all you need for weathering the storm. It might not be a full worst to first by next year, but getting the right building block sets everything in motion! This year has been a fever dream
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
Still only 18 years old. Huge upside. Gotta be very confident with the medicals though.
You kinda figure he's unlikely to go at 15, either doctors will like what they see and he goes higher or they don't like what they see and he falls.
The Bulls had better not overcomplicate just taking whoever of the clear top 4 falls to them.
He was really good as a 17-year-old freshman (7.9 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game...at 17 years old), and even with the injury could probably have gone top-10 in the 2025 draft if it wasn't for the fact he was too young to be eligible. Makes a lot more sense for that #15 pick for the Bulls, a team that is not in any likely scenario competing for anything next season, to take a swing on a young high upside guy like Quaintance than to go for something safe.
MoCoMdIllini
- Montgomery County, Maryland
Wow! Just that one year? I'm pretty sure I never saw his playing days. When I was a kid, Artis Gilmore was my favorite player on the Bulls.
Tied to Giddey or no, PG is probably the position at which they have the most depth and talent. There is absolutely no need for them to over-think it. Take whichever of the top 4 are left, and worry about what you want at 15 based on complimenting whichever elite prospect just landed in your lap.
Only 6 big ten players have averaged 16pts and 4ast as freshman: Magic Johnson, Jalen Rose, Jamal Crawford, D’Angelo Russell, Dylan Harper, Keaton Wagler
- Status