As the Chicago Bulls gear up for the 2025 NBA Draft, their strategy is sparking heated debate among fans and analysts. On May 29, 2025, Austin McGee of Pippen Ain’t Easy called the Bulls’ rumored “best player available” approach “dangerous,” arguing that prospects like Jase Richardson and Egor Demin don’t fit Chicago’s roster needs. With the No. 12 pick in a deep draft class, the Bulls face a pivotal moment in their rebuild, especially with key guards like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu nearing free agency. Should Chicago prioritize talent over fit, or target a wing defender, combo forward, or center to address glaring holes? Let’s dive into this high-stakes draft dilemma, exploring why Richardson and Demin are controversial choices and what the Bulls’ best path forward might be.
The Chicago Bulls’ 2024-25 season ended with a 39-43 record, missing the playoffs for the third straight year and cementing their rebuild around young talents like Josh Giddey, Matas Buzelis, and Coby White. With a roster thin on long-term starters and a 19th-ranked defensive rating (allowing 119.2 points per 100 possessions), per ESPN, the Bulls desperately need size and versatility. K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network reported the Bulls are “not hung up on position” and will draft the best talent available, a strategy that worked for teams like the Spurs with Victor Wembanyama but risks redundancy for Chicago’s guard-heavy lineup. The discourse around Jase Richardson and Egor Demin, both projected in the 9-15 range, highlights the tension between talent and fit.
Jase Richardson: A Redundant Combo Guard?
Jase Richardson, a 6-foot-2 Michigan State freshman and son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, is a crafty three-level scorer with a lethal midrange game and 49.1% pull-up shooting efficiency, per Jonathan Wasserman. Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer praises his “poised pick-and-roll feel,” projecting him to the Bulls at No. 12, noting his fit alongside Giddey as an off-ball threat. Richardson averaged 12.1 PPG and 1.8 APG, shooting 46.0% from the field and 37.1% from three, helping Michigan State reach the Elite Eight. His high-IQ play and low turnover rate (1.2 per game) make him a safe pick, but his 6-foot-3 frame and limited playmaking (1.9 APG) raise concerns. Bleacher Nation argues Richardson mirrors Coby White’s skill set—both are score-first guards who thrive off screens—making him a questionable fit with White, Giddey, and Ayo Dosunmu already in the backcourt. X posts from @ZenMasterMike rank Richardson sixth among Bulls’ targets, reflecting skepticism about his upside in Chicago’s crowded guard rotation.
Egor Demin: A Josh Giddey Clone?
Egor Demin, a 6-foot-9 BYU guard from Russia, is a polarizing prospect with 5.5 APG and elite playmaking, drawing comparisons to Josh Giddey for his size and passing, per Deseret News. At the 2025 NBA Draft Combine, Demin measured 6-foot-9½ with a 6-foot-10 wingspan, impressing with a pro-day shooting display despite a 27.3% college three-point percentage. ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel mocks Demin to the Bulls at No. 12, citing his athleticism and facilitation, but his 41.2% field goal percentage and struggles creating off the dribble worry scouts. Pippen Ain’t Easy’s McGee calls Demin a “Giddey clone,” redundant for a team with Giddey’s 7.4 APG and 49% three-point shooting in recent games. Jonathan Givony of ESPN notes Demin’s “undeniable talent” but questions his shooting and finishing, projecting him at No. 11 to Portland. @BullsCentralPod on X highlights Demin as a target for Chicago’s fast-paced, two-way style, but Bleacher Nation warns his overlap with Giddey could clog the offense, especially with both needing shooters around them.
The Case Against “Best Player Available”
The Bulls’ roster faces a reckoning post-2025-26, with White, Dosunmu, Kevin Huerter, Dalen Terry, and Jevon Carter hitting free agency, per K.C. Johnson. Only Giddey, likely to sign a $30 million-per-year extension, Buzelis, Patrick Williams, Lonzo Ball, Jalen Smith, and Julian Phillips are under contract, with Giddey as the sole surefire starter. This flexibility argues for drafting talent over need, as rosters can shift dramatically, per NBA.com. However, McGee argues the “best player available” approach is premature, given Chicago’s lack of an elite wing defender, combo forward, or starting center. The Bulls ranked last in points in the paint allowed (54.8 per game), per ESPN, underscoring the need for size. Duke’s Khaman Maluach, a 7-foot-2 shot-blocker, would have been ideal but is projected at No. 6-9, out of Chicago’s reach. @CHSN_Bulls on X questions if prospects like Derik Queen fit Chicago’s up-tempo style, suggesting a need for versatile bigs over redundant guards.
Alternative Prospects: Addressing Needs
A deep 2025 draft offers alternatives who fill Chicago’s voids. Maryland’s Derik Queen, a 6-foot-10 center with elite footwork and playmaking, is mocked to the Bulls by SI.com, offering a modern five to replace Nikola Vucevic. South Carolina’s Collin Murray-Boyles, a defensive savant with 9.0 RPG, brings versatility, per Yahoo Sports. Arizona’s Carter Bryant, a 6-foot-8 wing with defensive chops and 37.1% three-point shooting, climbed boards post-combine, per Bleacher Nation. Georgia’s Asa Newell, Georgetown’s Thomas Sorber, and France’s Noa Essengue, all mid-to-late lottery prospects, provide size and two-way potential, per Pippen Ain’t Easy. @BullsCentralPod on X lists Murray-Boyles, Newell, and Cedric Coward as targets, emphasizing fit over pure talent. These players align with Chicago’s need for paint presence and defensive upgrades, unlike Richardson and Demin, who require specific roster builds to thrive.
Strategic and Financial Considerations
The Bulls’ rebuild hinges on draft success, as Arturas Karnisovas regained control of future picks, per Fanspo. With $20 million in projected 2026 cap space, per Spotrac, Chicago can pursue free agents, but a lottery pick must deliver immediate impact or long-term upside. Drafting Richardson or Demin risks redundancy, as Giddey and White handle primary ball-handling, and Buzelis and Williams occupy wing spots. A big man or versatile forward better complements Chicago’s fast-paced, five-out system, per @BullsCentralPod. Risks of the “best player available” strategy include missing a foundational piece, as seen with past misses like drafting Patrick Williams over Tyrese Haliburton in 2020. Fan sentiment on X is mixed: @BN_Bulls supports a fit-focused approach, while @ZenMasterMike predicts Karnisovas might still chase Demin, reflecting front-office uncertainty.
Why Fit Might Trump Talent
McGee’s critique resonates because Chicago’s roster lacks balance. Richardson’s scoring and Demin’s passing are enticing, but neither addresses the Bulls’ defensive woes or paint deficiency. Prospects like Queen, Murray-Boyles, or Bryant offer two-way impact, fitting multiple roster constructions, per SI.com. The Bulls’ 75% chance of picking 9th or 10th, per SI.com, opens access to these bigs, making a need-based pick viable. While “best player available” has merit, as seen with stars like Luka Doncic falling to No. 3, Chicago’s immediate needs—size, defense, and paint scoring—suggest a targeted approach could accelerate their rebuild, per ClutchPoints.
The Chicago Bulls’ 2025 NBA Draft strategy is a high-stakes gamble that could shape their rebuild. While Jase Richardson and Egor Demin offer undeniable talent, their fit with Chicago’s guard-heavy roster raises red flags. Targeting a big man or versatile forward like Derik Queen or Collin Murray-Boyles could address critical needs and set the Bulls up for long-term success. As the June 25 draft looms, will Chicago stick with “best player available” or pivot to a need-based pick?