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.
Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Derik Queen suited up alongside Cooper Flagg, Liam McNeeley, and Asa Newell at the prestigious Monteverde Academy in Florida. After three seasons in Monteverde, the top-10 recruit made his way back to Maryland to play for Kevin Willard's Terrapins.
In his lone season in College Park, Queen averaged 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks, shooting 52.6 percent from the field and 20.0 percent from three. Queen started and appeared in all of Maryland's 36 contests. The 20-year-old led the veteran-laden Terrapins in field goals, free throws, points, and defensive rebounds.
Derik Queen's scouting report
Queen is one of the more unique prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft class. He's equally appealing and unappealing. While watching Queen, you'll be wowed by his advanced ball-handling and graceful drives. Yet he's one of the least athletic players in the draft class and doesn't make up for his lack of athleticism with a high motor.
Queen posted the worst or second-worst time in all three speed tests at the NBA Draft Combine. Moreover, he finished with the worst standing vertical and the second-worst max vertical leap. Despite the meager athletic testing results, Queen scores with relative ease because of an extensive offensive bag.
Offense
J. Kyle Mann of The Ringer said it best: Queen is a "balletic behemoth, with uncommon nimbleness in open space and surprising balance and body control when he’s driving to the rim." The 6-foot-10 big man utilizes complex dribble moves, especially for a big man. Hesitations, sleek crossovers, between-the-legs, behind-the-backs, spin-moves, there's nothing Queen can't do.
Perhaps even more impressive than his guard-like handles is his crafty finishing ability. Most bigs don't employ gather-, euro-, deceleration-steps, and up-and-unders on drives—Queen uses them all. He's an ambidextrous finisher, and his well-timed pace and big frame allow him to get to his spots. His driving acumen almost resembles Luka Dončić's. Both are slower, big-bodied physical drivers who rely on pace and feel.
His methodical nimbleness is most effective in the half-court, but that doesn't mean he's ineffective in transition; it's quite the opposite. Because of Queen's tight handle, he's a serious grab-and-go threat. The Maryland-native converted 25 of 35 transition opportunities. His open-court handle stands out and will undoubtedly be as effective in the NBA.
As a 250-pound big, Queen isn't your typical pick-and-roll partner. He sets solid picks, but he's best employed as a short-roll playmaker a la Draymond Green. Athletic limitations hinder Queen from being a threatening lob threat. His best attribute in the pick-and-roll is catching in the mid-to-high post and using fancy footwork to get a bucket or passing to the open man in a two-on-one scenario.
Although 1.9 assists per game isn't earth-shattering, and totaling more turnovers (2.4 per game) is concerning, Queen is a terrific facilitator. He's an anticipatory passer who projects to average three or even four-plus assists in the NBA as a post-passing hub. Queen's passes can be a bit wild at times, but he'll surely hone in on his playmaking skills as he continues his development.
What makes Queen so unique and, as eloquently stated, "equally appealing and unappealing," is his inability to shoot despite possessing numerous guard skills. The 6-foot-10 power forward knocked down only 7-of-35 three-point attempts. Furthermore, his shot isn't easy on the eyes. His touch is tremendous near and around the rim, but the same cannot be said once he ventures out. Queen's release is slow and far in front of his body, rather than semi-above his head.
His shot didn't look at the combine either. While players' shots typically look better in an open-gym setting, it was quite the opposite for Queen. Because of how much he relies on his wrist for power, there's a slightly noticeable hitch in Queen's jumper. His shooting performance at the combine was decent. However, he did knock down only 4-of-21 three-pointers from the corners.
Defense
It's difficult to argue Queen is a poor defender after averaging 1.1 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. He even registered a steal percentage of 2.0 and a block percentage of 3.8. Queen's defensive counting stats and steal and block percentages are only a tick lower than the universally praised Collin Murray-Boyles.
The Maryland product is smart, anticipatory, and possesses great hands. He's not one to defend a player one-on-one, but is best utilized as a roamer. Queen's rotations are well ahead of schedule, and he's equally comfortable defending the pick-and-roll ball handler as the roll-man.
Despite the athletic limitations, he's switchable. Queen does a nice job getting into a stance, ready to defend. His hands are always moving, but he's not overly handsy. Queen only committed 2.8 fouls per 40 minutes. His smarts overshadow his athletic limitations at times.
Nonetheless, as a grounded big, he's anything but a shot deterrent. Queen resembles a guard when opponents attack the rim. He'd play olé defense, allowing penetrating guards and wings to score without a decent contest. There were times when Queen would jump an inch or two off the ground to contest a shot, and with a 7-foot wingspan, that isn't enough to make a reasonable contest.
Pairing Queen with a shot-blocking, floor-spacing big seems to be the most viable option in the NBA. He rebounds extremely well. Thus, a Jaren Jackson Jr., Myles Turner, or a Victor Wembanyama-type frontcourt partnership is most ideal for Queen at the next level.
Derik Queen's fit with the Chicago Bulls
While Queen fits well into Chicago's space-and-pace offense, the defensive question marks outweigh the offensive fluidity. Queen's defensive fit next to Nikola Vucevic is downright scary. Neither can defend the rim nor comfortably defend the perimeter.
To say the Bulls shouldn't draft Queen because of Vucevic's presence is illogical. Vooch is 34 years old and has one season remaining on his contract. He has one season left in the Windy City and is a trade candidate on draft night.
Still, Queen as a replacement for Vucevic is illogical. He's more of a tweener, stuck between power forward and center. As mentioned above, his skill set is best suited next to a perimeter-oriented, shot-blocking big. Unfortunately, that archetype doesn't grow on trees; it's few and far between.
Therefore, unless Queen figures out how to effectively defend the rim, he'd be best as a sixth man for the Bulls. And drafting a sixth man at 12th overall isn't too inspiring. Of course, relegating Queen to a bench option is a bit of a slight. Not many collegiate freshmen have matched Queen's numbers in recent seasons.
Playing alongside Washington Wizards' Alex Sarr, Portland Trail Blazers' Donovan Clingan, or Atlanta Hawks' Onyeka Okongwu makes the most sense for Queen. Matas Buzelis offers a bit of a buffer for Queen, but Buzelis isn't a natural rim-deterrent—he's more of a weak-side defender.
The Bulls must devise a long-term plan before drafting Queen at No. 12, which is a likely possibility. He's not a natural fit at center, especially in Chicago, a team that allowed the most points in the paint per game. Yet, his offensive playmaking is enticing in Billy Donovan's free-flowing offense. Drafting Queen truly is a double-edged sword.
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.