The Bulls are “zoning in” on BYU’s Egor Demin ahead of the 2025 NBA draft, according to Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun-Times. The Bulls control the 12th and 45th picks in next month’s draft. However, the Russian guard, who is ranked No. 12 on ESPN’s big board, may not be available at that spot — Cowley hears he could go in the top 10.
While the Bulls are interested in Demin, they’re lower on Maryland big man Derik Queen. A source tells Cowley that Queen — who tested poorly at the combine, per Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report — has been sliding down draft boards, and Chicago has concerns about how his lack of athleticism would fit in the team’s up-tempo playing style.
K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network (Twitter video link) hears the Bulls will likely end up taking the best player available at No. 12, but they would “prefer” to select a big man or wing. And if they do go with a guard, it will likely be someone with the size to play multiple positions — Demin seems to fit that bill, as he’s a 6’9″ point guard.
Johnson, who also noted that Queen might slide on draft night, says that North Carolina wing Drake Powell recently had a “very, very impressive” workout with the Bulls and could return a second time. Johnson isn’t sure if Powell will be selected in the lottery — he’s No. 32 on ESPN’s board — but he performed well in both athletic testing and interviews at the combine.
For what it’s worth, in his latest mock draft, Wasserman has Chicago selecting South Carolina forward Collin Murray-Boyles at No. 12 and Wake Forest guard Hunter Sallis at No. 45.
Please.Get.A.Big.Man.
Anyone.Is.Sufficient.Enough.
i’d be down with d.wolf. has some play making ability for a 7 footer.
The Bulls have 2 guys to build around and 1 old guy and one G for trade bait in Vuj and White. Those guys are a 6’10 wing and a PG. So if they draft anybody that plays those 2 positions I’ll need another TV again. But that would be so Bulls it’s not funny. Basketball isn’t other sports. You need 5 starters so you draft for position not Best Player Available. I’m sincerely hoping the Bulls end up with some more draft picks before this draft goes off. They better start dealing.
Would you give up the #12 pick & a future 2nd for #19 & #27?
A very specific proposal that implies a specific corresponding trade. Care to share?
No
No, I think it would need to be 19, 27 and possibly a future 2nd in 2029ish? Who are you targeting for 12?
Mike, knowing Jerry he’s waiting to see if the Bears move to Arlington Heights, and he will want to tax payers to pay for a new stadium on the lakefront for his Bulls.
I like him but at 12, I think they need to go with a more athletic raw prospect. Collin Murray-Boyles intrigues me because from what I’ve read on most sites is that he is very good defensively already and he has the body to play 1-4. His shooting needs a lot of work but he’s so young (turning 20 right before the draft). My problem is they let go a shooting coach who actually made strides on Buzelis, Coby, others this year and I am worried whoever they hire will ruin CMB on offense.
I’m not making the deal for 19 and 27 unless I’m keeping 45 and get and NOT adding any future picks AFTER I see who’s left at 12 and then assessing if I can get a comparable asset at 19 that I could get at 12. The other team is already getting the better pick in the trade why would I ADD to it? I’m trying to put 5 starters on the floor and if anything I’m trading up if I’m the Bulls, Not down. 2 lesser players doesn’t help that at all.
I’ve had Chicago taking Collin Murray-Boyles in my last couple mock drafts. He’s a perfect complement to Buzelis at forward. He can’t shoot & prob won’t be a big time scorer in the league but he’s tough, physically strong & projects to be a great defender. Meanwhile Demin & Giddey seem like a terrible match for each other. Demin plays way too soft rn & looks like he’s years away (at best) from becoming even an average shooter. He obv has great size & he has good feel for the game. But he’s not a good scorer or defender rn so it’s hard to see how he’s gonna have an impact next season. Bulls really need a star type guy. If not Murray-Boyles I’d reach for a (local) guy like Will Riley before Demin bc of his potential.
Murray-Boyles needs to be a SF or he will be the draft bust of the class. Queen needs to play PF
Demin and Giddy are similar players
Agree with you that CMB and Buzelis would be a horrendous fit together. I like Liam McNeeley the most, has size and shooting ability. Demin to me screams overreach. We already have enough guys who cannot shoot at the guard position, why add Demin to that list? We need Queen the most. I don’t have him at the 5 at the next level though.
Bd love playing with 4 guards and c. They will draft a guard. Maybe jase richardson. Mediocre is our faith now. Reach play in, then lose. Its bulls. Jerry dont need another ring as long as he get a lot money from tickets.
I vividly remember when the Bulls were winning titles their fans acted like that would continue to happen forever. Now y’all act like it’s gonna be play-in forever smh. Just bc something happened last yr doesn’t mean it’s always gonna happen. Bulls played a lot of guards this season bc that’s the roster they had. Donovan didn’t play 4guards at UF or at OKC or in Chicago until last yr.
If you think i really act like its gona be play in forever, its meant you dont get the point of my comment.
The Bulls have been struggling forever now. They need to blow it up and tank for just one year
uh Donovan has seen his bias for guards for his entire time here
Bulls need a big …… have to get one. There should be one there.
Al: yes, bulls need a big, but i doubt akme and bd know it. I still remember several yeard ago, bulls need big, and they were pick dalen terry over kessler. And when bulls need pg, they were pick polly william over haliburton.
I promise you nobody in the city of Chicago thought winning titles will continue to happen forever. You must have dealt with some brain dead fans then. I grew up (as a kid) in the 90’s and I vividly remember having discussions with other fans and we all begged them to trade Kukoc as well after 98 since his value was higher than a few years later. But Jerry being Jerry decided that the fans need a new player to be emotionally attached too because nobody is coming to see an eventual 13-37 team and waste their hard earned money. So no, nobody here thought it was going to last forever, in fact we all were dreading it since summer of 97, it was bittersweet knowing they’re going to 3peat but they will never defend it. Still bothers me to this day.
Raz : yes, i never thought about winning forever, and never think we will in play in forever too. Its sankara just dont get my comment is cynical comment. I, and many others bulls fans, just dont believe with akme anymore. He made 2 terrible draft. Polly william over hali,and dalen terry over kessler.especially with poly william. We need pg at that time. He picked poly,traded lonzo, then sad story came to us.
I have zero faith in them turning it around. The best I can hope for is Jerry’s dying and he wants a dover and actually resets everything that he torched the last decade or so in Chicago lol.
Raz : i hope so. I really hate jery
If Bulls luck out and get Queen …. you need to celebrate big time. Imo this man can be next great PF …. Gotta get leaner. As long as he is not another Zion. I see a big with talent. More a 4 can play 5.
What about a poor man’s Zach Randolph. Queen is not a C, definitely a PF. Can he a good PF too
I still say Queen would be a good fit at the 4 with Buzelis and Giddey and that would be a good start. Malach is bigger but slow and that doesn’t really fly in the NBA. And I don’t think Malach is very coordinated. I think it would be a waste. I kind of like the Riley kid although I know he needs to grow. I know 2 things about him from watching almost every Illini game. He can shoot and create his own shot. And he runs the floor. He would be a good choice for the run and gun game they want to play but would be a defensive liability until he fills out. But the NBA draft is like futures thing anyway. You have to guess what these guys are going to look like in 3 years. But Queen can board and shoot and Riley can shoot and create so he might be a good SG. If I hear one more idiot from the Bulls talk about somebodies wing span I think I’ll puke. Who cares about a guys wing span if they can’t play? Idiocy.
Not sure why so many are convinced the Bulls are going to select a guard “as always”, because since AKME took over, they only drafted Ayo and DT, all the other picks have been forwards (P-Will, Julian Phillips, Buzelis) and center (Simonovic).
Just like sankara,its Bcoz u dont get the point of the comment about bulls will draft guard.
Queen needs to be a PF and watch Zach Randolph
Demin is big time. He is a big SF. He should go top 10. This is a player. Already has NBA size.