The Chicago Bulls aren’t just scouting prospects—they’re building a blueprint.As they prepare to pick at No. 12 in the 2025 NBA Draft, their front office has made it clear which players align best with their long-term vision.
From private workouts to combine evaluations, the team’s focus has centered around one archetype: the versatile forward.With last year’s draft pick Matas Buzelis already showing promise as a multi-position defender and playmaker, the Bulls are doubling down on that mold—looking for a complementary piece who can thrive in today’s fast-paced, positionless NBA.
Let’s break down how these prospects match up—and why the Bulls might be zeroing in on them.
The Archetype: Long, Athletic Forwards Who Can Defend and Shoot
Chicago’s draft meetings have revealed a consistent theme—length , mobility , and defensive versatility. Whether it’s a wing or a stretch-four type, the Bulls want someone who can guard multiple positions, contribute on defense, and knock down perimeter shots when needed.
Here’s the list of key prospects they’ve met with or evaluated closely:
- Carter Bryant (Arizona)
- Egor Demin (BYU)
- Kon Knueppel (Duke)
- Thomas Sorber (Georgetown)
- Asa Newell (Georgia)
- Derik Queen (Maryland)
- Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina)
- Jase Richardson (Michigan State)
Tre Johnson (Texas), while more of a scoring guard, was also on the radar, but his fit seems less ideal compared to the others.
Why Defense Is Driving the Bull’s Draft Strategy
Last season, the Bulls often played small-ball lineups featuring Patrick Williams, Matas Buzelis, and even Ayo Dosunmu at power forward. That style worked in spurts, but it left them vulnerable defensively against bigger teams.
Enter: Collin Murray-Boyles and Thomas Sorber .
Murray-Boyles, despite not being a shooter, brings elite defensive instincts and physicality at 240 pounds. His ability to switch onto guards yet hold his ground against bigger forwards makes him an intriguing option.
Sorber, meanwhile, is a true center in disguise. At 6-foot-9 with a 7-foot-6 wingspan, he combines rim protection (7.6 block%) and perimeter mobility, making him a two-way anchor in the modern game.
Both would help the Bulls shore up their weak spots without sacrificing flexibility.
Mobility Meets Skill: How Prospects Like Newell and McNeeley Fit
On the other end of the spectrum, you have high-upside athletes like Asa Newell and Keegan McNeeley .
Newell, a dynamic freshman from Georgia, blends youth upside with production. At 6-foot-9, he’s got the tools to grow into a versatile forward who can score inside and out. His steal and block numbers indicate strong two-way potential.
McNeeley, although slightly undersized at 6-foot-6, thrives as a spot-up shooter and off-ball threat. He’d give the Bulls another perimeter weapon to space the floor around Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan—or complement Buzelis in a younger core.
Bulls Are Building Around Length and Flexibility
It’s becoming increasingly clear—the Bulls are betting big on the combo forward.They want players who can adapt to different roles, defend at a high level, and scale with the league’s evolving pace.
With the 12th pick, they may not land a franchise cornerstone, but they can absolutely add a valuable contributor who fits within their system. Based on their meetings and reported preferences, they seem ready to do just that.
Whether it’s a rugged defender like Murray-Boyles or a mobile scorer like Newell, expect the Bulls to take someone who checks all the boxes—not just now, but for years to come.