2025 NBA Draft: The Truth About the Bulls Drafting the Twelfth Overall Pick

Over the past decade, players selected with the 12th overall pick in the NBA Draft have generally performed well enough to secure second- or third-round contracts in the league. Notable players like Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Williams were drafted twelfth and currently have prominent roles in their playoff series. Other less recognized players, such as Steven Adams and PJ Washington, who were also picked at the twelfth spot, have proven to be valuable assets for winning teams. This trend highlights the inherent value of drafting at twelfth. However, the significance of that value is considerably overstated for the upcoming 2025 draft.

While it is impossible to predict the trajectory of any prospect's career with certainty, fans often overlook noticeable flaws. Concerns exist regarding Collin Murray-Boyles’ size, Derik Queen’s athleticism, Thomas Sorber’s injury history, and Egor Demin’s physicality. Notably, all these players shot below 30% from three-point range this past season. For a team that finished in the top three in the league for three-pointers made and attempted, but ranked 13th in percentage, these prospects may struggle to fit into the uptempo, shoot-at-will offense implemented by head coach Billy Donovan.

Bulls insiders K.C. Johnson and Joe Cowley continue to emphasize that the Chicago Bulls are looking to draft for systemic fit over positional need. There's no denying the appeal of Murray-Boyles’ defensive IQ, Queen’s shot creation, Sorber’s lateral quickness, and Demin’s court vision. It’s debatable whether these strengths effectively offset the shooting concerns and other weaknesses of these NBA prospects, as well as align with the Bulls’ offensive vision. Nevertheless, they must quickly adapt to the professional level to even step on the court, especially if drafted by the Chicago Bulls, to avoid a similar fate to Dalen Terry, who still does not have a defined role on the team.

It is important to remember that no rookie is perfect in their first season. Matas Buzelis, for example, was gradually integrated into the lineup until he proved himself worthy of a starting position. Many are setting unrealistic expectations for this rookie class without fully considering their transition to the NBA. This is fueled by the hype surrounding players like Cooper Flagg and other projected top-five prospects. Development takes time, and with no single player standing out among the rest in the Bulls’ projected range, Arturas Karnisovas certainly has his work cut out for him.