The Chicago Bulls could explore a new direction ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft. With a potential rebuild looming and major questions surrounding Nikola Vučević’s future, the franchise has a chance to reset around youth and versatility.
Holding the 12th pick in the upcoming 2025 NBA Draft, the Bulls are projected to select Maryland center Derik Queen, an unconventional big with the skill set of a guard. If this pick holds true, it could signal a bold new vision for the team’s offensive future.
Bull May Have Found Nikola Vučević’s Successor in Derik Queen
The latest PFSN NBA Mock Draft predicts the Bulls going with 6’10” playmaking center Queen at No. 12. It’s a move that feels timely, given the trade rumors swirling around Vučević and the growing belief that Chicago is ready to rebuild from the inside out.
Choudhary writes, “With recent trade rumors suggesting that the Nikola Vučević era could be coming to an end, the Chicago Bulls are poised to embrace a full-fledged rebuild. And outside of their solid guard rotation, the team has a variety of holes to fill.”
“Patrick Williams and Matas Buzelis offer a solid wing duo, but Derik Queen might be their long-term answer at the center spot. An excellent playmaker with a soft touch around the hoop, exceptional footwork, and the ability to operate out of the post, Queen could be the next center to become the offensive hub for his team.”
Queen isn’t your typical big man. He’s doesn’t camp under the rim but instead brings a rare blend of skill and feel making him an interior technician who can pass, dribble, and score with patience and poise.
Last season (2024-25) at Maryland, he averaged 16.5 points, nine rebounds, and nearly two assists per game while shooting over 52% from the field. The stats show he has the potential, but they only scratch the surface. Queen does damage with smart post-play, controlled footwork, and an uncanny ability to manipulate defenders with his body.
In an offense that lacks structure or movement, Queen could become the focus – someone who creates from the block, initiates dribble handoffs and reads defenses like a point guard. His soft hands, passing vision, and guard-like handle make him an ideal high-post hub for a modern NBA team.
With Vučević potentially on the move — his contract runs through 2026, and his defensive flaws that have become harder to ignore, the Bulls will need someone who can replace his production and raise their ceiling. Queen won’t match Vučević’s shooting touch immediately, but his offensive versatility and paint presence could give Chicago a much-needed identity shift.
What Could Queen Could Unlock for Bulls?
The Bulls ranked 20th in offensive rating (114.1) and 18th in defensive rating (115.6) in the 2024-25 season. That’s a team stuck in the middle, lacking both defensive toughness and offensive strength. Queen, while not a perfect prospect, brings multiple tools that could help change that.
Karl Heiser of the Jimmer Range podcast posted a video of Queen showcasing his skill.
Finishing up my scouting notes on Derik Queen and this play against Michigan stood out to me. I can’t believe he fit himself through this window to get a clean layup.
Surprisingly nimble for his size. Footwork is so good. 🐢👑 pic.twitter.com/8W1FNFUotv
— Karl Heiser (@KHeiserCBB) June 6, 2025
He’s not yet a rim protector or a floor spacer. But those are skills that can be developed. His real strength lies in reading defenses, controlling the pace, and making others better. If the Bulls can improve his conditioning and build his frame, his rebounding and defensive awareness will rise with it.
Right now, Chicago lacks second-chance scoring and inside playmaking. They have guards who can score, like Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu, but no big who connects everything. Queen could be that connector, someone who doesn’t need plays drawn up but makes plays happen anyway.
The Bulls also lack a clear future in the paint. Patrick Williams and Matas Buzelis look like promising wings, but Queen could round out that core as a playmaking five who thrives in motion.