Bulls lottery target compared favorably to Rockets superstar

Derik Queen could be the next Alperen Sengun, a Houston Rockets big man who similarly was drafted in the same range in his class. ESPN’s Jeremy Woo can see the path to greatness for Queen, who figures to be a similar player to Sengun if he pans out. Sengun is perhaps infamously known as “Baby Jokic,” so that’s hardly bad company for the Bulls target to be in.

“Queen brings a lot to the table offensively, with the face-up skills and passing ability to play all over the floor and facilitate good offense. The success of players such as Sengun, who fell into the teens on draft night in 2021 and was viewed as an unorthodox prospect, helps lay the groundwork for Queen’s potential,” Woo said. “He needs to become a more aggressive rebounder and engaged defender — two things that would be aided by improving his frame and conditioning. He also needs to develop a more reliable 3-point shot.”

Woo also noted that the downside to Queen is a low floor. His low-end comparison is Sandro Mamukelashvili, a player you’d be forgiven for not knowing about at all. He averaged 6.3 points per game for the San Antonio Spurs in 2024-25.

Woo said, “Mamukelashvili, an offensive-minded big who has settled into a deep bench role in the NBA, is an extreme case — Queen is far more talented — but that comp is meant to underscore the downside if Queen is unable to stay on the floor defensively. The most likely outcome is in the middle.”

There’s a bit of boom or bust nature with Queen, who could form a dominant young frontcourt with Matas Buzelis or end up being a bust. The reality, in Woo’s eyes, is somewhere in the middle, and the Bulls could do far worse than an imitation of Sengun.