Each day until the 2025 NBA Draft, Pippen Ain't Easy will profile one prospect who makes sense as a fit for the Bulls in either the first or second round. These players could fill a need, such as on-ball defense or rim protection, or could fit an archetype that Chicago lacks on its current roster, like an athletic big man or 3-and-D wing.
There aren't many prospects more polarizing than Dink Pate. Although Pate isn't a well-known commodity, his story is certainly noteworthy. The Dallas, Texas-native abruptly graduated from L. G. Pinkston High School a year early to enter the professional ranks.
In April of 2023, Pate signed a two-year contract with the now-defunct G-League Ignite. At 17 years old, Pate made history as the youngest professional basketball player in U.S. history. Playing alongside Matas Buzelis, Pate averaged 8.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Ignite.
Following the disbandment of the G-League Ignite, Pate took his talents to the Mexico City Capitanes, a fellow G-League squad. Then 18, Pate averaged 10.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per contest while upping his efficiency from the floor and beyond the arc.
Dink Pate's scouting report
What makes Pate so polarizing is his combination of youth, production, or lack thereof, and impressive intangibles. Pate has played two seasons in the G-League, yet he's only just turned 19. After reclassifying, Pate is younger than several notable prospects such as Dylan Harper, Tre Johnson, and V.J. Edgecombe.
Offense
Yet, despite playing two seasons in the G-League, the 19-year-old has struggled to show demonstrable progress. His counting stats only marginally improved, and yes, his efficiency metrics improved, but they weren't pretty to begin with.
Pate shot merely 34.8 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from beyond the arc for the Ignite. A season later, the young wing shot 40.7 percent from the floor and 25.8 percent from downtown. And, for whatever reason, Pate's free throw percentage decreased sharply from 72.7 percent to 58.1 percent.
The Texas-native's offensive game is surely more of an idea at this point. However, his mix of size, fluidity, and ball-handling is real. Pate measured just over 6-foot-6 at the NBA Draft Combine, on par with his listed height of 6-foot-8 in shoes. He weighed in at 200 pounds, and his wingspan measured 6-foot-10.
Pate was essentially built in a lab. While he tested well in the speed portion of the combine, his vertical left much to be desired. He posted a 24.5-inch standing and a 32.5-inch max vertical. Nonetheless, his verticality pops on tape. Pate is an impressive finisher capable of contorting his body mid-air to finish complex lay-ups. Moreover, he's an imposing dunker whose windmills and one-handed cockback slams are awe-inspiring.
Pate shines in transition. Between initiating the break and leaking out, Pate is built for transition. His long strides makes it easy for him to beat defenders down the floor. Once in transition, Pate is a clever playmaker. He's a well-adept lob thrower and routinely looks for the open man.
Where Pate struggles is in the half-court. His low shooting percentages are a direct result of his funky mechanics. He slightly turns his body, failing to square up to the rim when rising up. Pate's base is abnormal, to say the least. His feet stand further than shoulder-width apart and even extend beyond once he's in the air. Pate's off-the-bounce jumper looks more promising than his spot-up.
He's not near the level of an athlete, but there's some Amen Thompson to Pate's game. He possesses a smooth handle for standing 6-foot-8, almost Paul George-esque at times, and like on the fast-break, he uses his long strides well to get past defenders and euro-step to easy finishes around the rim.
Defense
Although Pate is a long, rangy athlete, it doesn't translate to the defensive end. The 19-year-old averaged only 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks per season. In 65 games across two seasons, Pate has only totaled 39 steals and six blocks.
Pate's low block totals are borderline absurd. His combination of size and athleticism should yield at least 0.5 blocks per game, yet that's not the case. Upon diving deeper into Pate's film, it's partially a lack of effort, but more so a lack of understanding of awareness and positioning.
The term "caught ball watching" is commonly used when describing a defender's lapse in focus off-ball. Dink takes the aforementioned term to another level. There are times the 19-year-old forward is staring off into space, almost disregarding his man and the ball.
Pate was routinely beaten off the ball and on back cuts solely because of a lack of defensive instincts. It's not that his effort level is noticeably low. He just appears a step slow, likely due to inadequate processing time. If there's a positive takeaway, it's that with NBA-level coaching, Pate has the chance to transform into a solid defender. He passes the eye test.
Dink Pate's fit with the Chicago Bulls
After an uninspiring scouting report, it's fair to question if the Bulls should take a risk on the 19-year-old G-League product. Of course, a first-round grade is out of the question—Pate is still too raw and much more of a project.
Pate will likely be selected in the second round. He's reminiscent of A.J. Johnson, who was drafted surprisingly at 23rd last year after forgoing the collegiate route and averaging 2.9 points in 7.7 minutes per game for the NBL's Illawarra Hawks. He spent most of his rookie season in the G-League before seeing an uptick in minutes once traded to the NBA-worst Washington Wizards.
Pate could follow a similar path. If he were to be drafted by Chicago, he'd assuredly spend more time with the Windy City Bulls, working on his game. However, any time in the big leagues would do Pate wonders. Getting acquainted with the speed of the game and making mistakes from which he can learn is crucial for Pate's development.
His impact on any NBA team is far from immediate. It'll take time to refine Pate's game. Fortunately, at 19 years old, there's plenty of time. He might never turn out, but the upside is obvious. Not many players are as fluid an athlete at 6-foot-8.
For more prospect profiles and all things draft-related, check out Pippen Ain't Easy's Chicago Bulls draft page. A new prospect's scouting report will be added daily.