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. For more prospect profiles and all things draft-related, check out PAE's Chicago Bulls draft page.
The Bulls desperately need to improve defensively if they hope to make the playoffs next year for the first time since 2021, and Duke wing Sion James would be a perfect addition in the 2025 NBA Draft as a strong, versatile, high-energy defender and knockdown catch-and-shoot artist.
Chicago's best individual defenders last season, in terms of defensive rating, were Chris Duarte (no longer with the franchise), Zach Collins, Lonzo Ball, Kevin Huerter, Talen Horton-Tucker and Julian Phillips. Only Phillips, who had an average-at-best defensive rating of 111.1, played in more than 58 games.
Chicago has a massive need for someone like James, who would come into the NBA with a clearly defined role on day one.
Sion James 2025 NBA Draft scouting report
James played the first four seasons of his college career with the Tulane Green Wave before transferring to Duke for his final campaign. It was there that the Buford, GA native found his basketball identity.
On a team with Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach and Tyrese Proctor, James was tasked with doing the little things that contributed to winning but didn't necessarily show up on the stat sheet. He was the Blue Devils' best on-ball defender (outside of perhaps Flagg) and took that role to heart.
James measured 6-foot-4 ½ barefoot and a hilariously chiseled 218 pounds. His 6-foot-6 ½ wingspan leaves something to be desired for a defense-first wing at the NBA level, but he ran the fastest three-quarter-court sprint at the combine (2.97 seconds), had a 32-inch standing vertical leap and a 39.5 max vertical, which was tied for fourth-best among all players in Chicago.
James' wild physical strength, high-level athleticism and terrifying thirst for defense make him one of the best prospects in the 2025 class on that end of the floor, regardless of position.
But he's not just a defender. The 22-year-old developed into one of the best spot-up shooters in the country last year, further solidifying his status as a potentially game-changing 3-and-D role player at the NBA level, even if that's his ultimate ceiling.
Offense
James averaged only 8.6 points in his lone season at Duke, so on the surface, it doesn't appear he had a huge impact on that end of the court. But once he joined the starting lineup seven games into his ACC career, the Blue Devils became a more efficient, well-organized team.
His most translatable offensive skill is his spot-up three-point shooting. Per Synergy, James had an effective field-goal percentage of nearly 70 percent on catch-and-shoot triples. He was a 28.0 percent shooter from deep as a freshman at Tulane and developed into a 41.3 percent shooter at Duke. He also shot 51.6 percent from the field and 81.0 percent from the free-throw line last season.
James won't ever pass for a top offensive option, but he proved with the Blue Devils that he's willing to fit in as a cog in an offensive machine, though he can do more than that if given the opportunity. He averaged nearly three assists at Duke and dished out more than that in two of his four seasons at Tulane.
He's a smart processor who can see the floor and make the right pass. He won't do anything flashy, but he'll keep an offense in rhythm, and if the right play presents itself, he's skilled enough to make it.
Defense
Outside of his spot-up shooting, James' calling card in the NBA will be his physical, intense brand of defense. If you gave him a helmet and shoulder pads and threw him into an NFL game tomorrow, he would be one of the biggest and strongest players on the field. He uses that size and strength to his advantage, but his tenacity is what puts him over the top as a defensive prospect.
His wingspan won't wow anyone, and he doesn't leap off the page with explosive chase-down blocks or grab-and-go steals, but he'll take on whatever defensive assignment he's given. He's quick enough to slide his feet with most guards and strong enough to bang with frontcourt players.
He's built to defend bigger guards and wings, but he's versatile enough to capably defend one through five in a switch-heavy scheme. He made the ACC All-Defense team playing just 25.5 minutes per game.
Sion James fit with the Chicago Bulls
Phillips and perhaps Dalen Terry are the closest things Chicago has to a 3-and-D wing archetype, but neither has the "3" piece, nor are they anything exceptional on defense. James doesn't have the upside Phillips or Terry do, but he'll be ready to contribute as soon as he steps on an NBA floor. He understands his role and does it with intensity and energy.
He would be a valuable part of the Bulls' half-court offense, thanks to his ability to space the floor, catch and shoot with accuracy and consistently make the right plays. He's athletic enough to run and gun in transition. And, most importantly, he would give head coach Billy Donovan the type of versatile on-ball defender currently missing from his roster.
James is skilled, experienced and tough enough to slide into Chicago's rotation on opening night in 2025-26 if the Bulls snag him with their second-round pick at No. 45.