The upcoming NBA Draft marks the start of the 2025 offseason, which might finally give Bulls fans an idea of the franchise's direction. Chicago holds the 12th overall pick, which leaves them in a tricky situation. They are not high enough to secure a franchise player, but they are also not low enough where the pick isn’t expected to contribute immediately.
So, should the Bulls trade up for a top prospect, trade down to gather additional future assets, or stay put and select the best available player? With no clear plan, the choices made on draft night could clarify the Bulls' future or confuse fans even further.
Trading Up: Is it Worth it?
If the Bulls want to take a big risk, trading up could be the bold move to help them finally secure a potential franchise changer. Outside of the top two prospects, Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, who seem set on their destinations, there is still plenty of talent projected to fall within the 3-to-10 range that could make the trade up completely worth it
One name to consider is Ace Bailey, who was once projected to go No. 3 to the Sixers. However, after a few questionable pre-draft decisions, including cancelling a pre-draft workout with Philadelphia, his stock has continued to plummet. There have already been rumors linking the Bulls to a possible trade up if Bailey continues to fall.
Another prospect worth mentioning is Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 player with strong rim protection and extreme efficiency. Although he’s still raw and developing, he possesses several qualities the Bulls have not had from their center in years, including paint presence, lob threat, and youth.
However, moving up to the 5-to-8 range will likely be expensive. The Bulls may have to give up the 12th pick, a future first, and possibly even a rotation player like Ayo Dosunmu, Patrick Williams, or Lonzo Ball. It’s a steep price, but if the front office believes one of these players could be a key part of their future, then taking their big swing in this draft might be the perfect opportunity.
Trading Down: Acquire additional assets?
On the other hand, trading down could be a more practical choice. If the Bulls don’t see a prospect they absolutely love at No. 12, moving back a few spots to gather future assets might be the smarter decision, especially in a draft flush with solid contributors through the mid-to-late first round.
Some prospects projected between picks 15 and 25 that could be a good fit for the Bulls include Derik Queen, Carter Bryant, and Collin Murray-Boyles. If a couple of those names are still available when it’s Chicago’s turn, it would make sense to move back, acquire a future pick, or take a chance on a young player still on a rookie deal.
Of course, trading down means passing on a chance at a player with unlimited potential in exchange for future flexibility. However, if the Bulls are finally ready to commit to a real rebuild and begin stacking assets, this is probably the best move for them in this year's draft.
Staying Put: The most likely
Staying at No. 12 and selecting the best available player seems to be the most probable outcome, especially given Artūras Karnišovas' history of playing it safe on draft night. Honestly, it wouldn’t be the worst decision this year.
This range includes several interesting international prospects, including Noa Essengue and Joan Beringer out of France. It’s also where college freshmen with potential, but some clear weaknesses, are expected to land. Names like Cedric Coward, Asa Newell, and Thomas Sorber all possess a mix of size, skill, and future potential, and they would fill real needs on the roster.
The risk? It might seem like yet another cautious move from a front office that has made too many safe choices recently. A mid-pick for a mid-team, potentially finding themselves in the same draft position next year. However, staying put could still be the best approach in a class where the gap between picks 8 and 14 is much smaller than usual.
What should the Bulls do?
Ultimately, it depends on what direction the front office decides to go.
If they believe in the current core and feel they are just one key piece away from playoff contention, trading up for a top prospect like Bailey or Maluach makes sense. If they want to take the long-term vision and commit to a real reset by getting rid of their veterans, trading down to gather future assets is the smart play. If they are still trying to balance staying competitive while developing young talent, then sticking to No. 12 and selecting a solid contributor aligns with that strategy.
The key is that whatever they decide, it should show the fans that the front office has a sense of clear direction. Draft night doesn’t need to solve everything, but it should provide a clearer vision of the future.