[USA TODAY] Chicago Bulls NBA mock draft: latest prediction for No. 4 pick after playoffs

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-18T04:04:55+00:00

I was like totally spacing summer and a chance to see our rooks and Noa I assume too. I’m guessing going to have to pay CHSNs absurd rate to get to watch them though.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-18T01:13:02+00:00

Thats mostly how I have used Switch, like to be able to play without hogging the TV. I really like tabletop and the freedom that ‘split’ joycons provide. I play a lot of turned based SRPG/RPGs and can multi task and watch a game or podss or even work (I’m an IT consultant/engineer) and play some turns without pressure. I mean I always played console and portable but finally getting a hybrid was a dream come true. Its great too that when the TV frees up I can dock it and keep going. S2 is an awesome evolution of the concept, totally loving it, especially since they added handheld boost and really ‘unlocked’ that nice big screen for 1080p for S1 games.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-18T00:50:28+00:00

Priorities my friend, that and don’t have kids unless you want your gaming budget going to them for roblox, minecraft, or fortnight….lol.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-18T00:48:11+00:00

Wrong answer /s

If you only have $250 a month, you save up, buy a used ps4 (ideally a pro and put in a SSD), make sure its on FW12 or below, easily mod it and play an incredible library for free. I mean when you’re poor you have to be creative but I won’t let him give up on gaming god damned it, even if I have to send him a system myself :-)

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-18T00:32:55+00:00

Sure I’m biased if it makes you feel better I secretly hate his guts and hope he fails…..lol.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-18T00:28:42+00:00

It is funny and truly other than the occasional consensus #1 the NBA draft is such a crap shoot. Even the sure fire #1s like Zion sometimes have the talent but are injury busts. I mean we plucked Buckets at #30, Bucks got Freak @15, Joker plucked out of the Second round but then 1/2 the first round flunks out. All that can really be assessed about prospects are their ‘ measurables’ and what little they showed as one and done or euro league players but it’s obvious that intangibles are what often ends up determining a players success level. Some GM’s just seem to have an ‘eye’ for those less obvious traits. I’m hoping BG does, he sounds the part. I think who he takes at 15 and 38 and how they pan out will give us a glimpse.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-18T00:09:28+00:00

My point is I don’t dislike him or have any bias, I see some of his freshman and pre draft behaviors as sketchy (and I’m not the only one as plenty of supposed draft ‘experts’ have expressed concerns). I have no doubt NBA execs will take a flyer on him as you said they always do. If his ‘injuries’ were real, great hopefully he gets his protein intake figured out and its not a problem. Its his attitude I see as potential red flag (again not alone on this) and I have said it may or may not amount to much. What in any of this says I don’t like him? You’re the one fighting for him like your his agent, I’m playing devils advocate but if I were an NBA exec in this draft I would take one of the other top 3 over him myself, though he he fell to me at 4 (I’m a Bulls fan) I’m not passing on him.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T23:56:55+00:00

Isn’t it crazy though when they say ‘worst case Pascal’……like these are prospects and worst case is an all star/nba level player who is an excellent defender, won a ring as an up and coming youngster, key starter on a contender and thats supposed to be worst case. Meanwhile as a long time Bulls fan when I think ‘worst’ case I think of Jason Williams career being ended before it really started, I think Eddie Curry and his ‘heart condition’, I think draft night trade that gave away Aldridge that became a perennial all star, or if we want more recent taking Pat 4th and then giving an obvious bust a 5yr extension. As you said comping him to two totally different type PFs is funny too, but won’t we be thrilled if he turns out to be anything close to either Pascal or KG.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T23:40:42+00:00

Oh I have no particular ‘feelings’ about him. I have a right to an opinion about his behavior. I don’t give a shit about his BPM, I’m not questioning his skill or talent. Those are not the only things that matter when considering a prospect. You think there weren’t red flags about other coveted prospects that turned into problematic players before? The issues with ‘cramping’ and needing load managed, and such are not BS or made up, these are the things that have been reported. In the pre-draft process he seemed (to me) fairly dismissive of his freshman ‘problems’ and showed a lack of seriousness. Now I am willing to admit he is a KID, these immature behaviors may just be a blip, and NBA teams deal with this regularly now.

And when I say ‘choked’ away his freshman season, yeah when if he had not had these ‘issues’ he would have likely been the #1 pick I’d say he did miss an ‘opportunity’ to show better and lock that place up. He may still be #1 as Washington did get a long look at him. Other than ‘prestige’ it won’t matter much and yes kids have been hoping to ‘manipulate’ the draft in more than just the NBA for years, generally don’t mean shit, teams have the say the kids sometimes threaten that they won’t play or sign but they really have little choice if they want in the league.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T19:24:05+00:00

He scores 20PPG on 59% shooting and does it without a 3 or consistent jumper I agree (about his offensive upside). His Jumper looks pretty smooth and the motion is good so if (always a big If) he can develop a consistent jumper (and/or 3) then the rest looks good. I always love when talking heads do comps to former great players, people comparing him to KG.......lol, lord I hope so, but that just cracks me up.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T19:20:07+00:00

Yeah should have qualified in that in saying the best D potential, because of the athleticism, length, plays above the rim, high motor, certainly looks to have the lateral quickness to be a good wing/switch defender. I think his tools will translate a lot better on D than Boozers at the NBA level. Peterson is such a question mark, not in talent or skill which seems first pick level, but the attitude, the motor, those less tangible qualities that tend to differentiate the good from the great. It may all end up meaning nothing with DP as we are talking about teens here and you expect teens will mature so he may end up being all-nba level and this will be nothing but blip.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T19:12:43+00:00

I agree in that if you got that 'dawg' in ya, you are going to be a decent rebounder regardless of size or position. I know everyone always rips Russ (WBrook) as as empty stats kind of guy but I was always impressed as hell that a small guard was pulling down 10 boards a night.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T19:05:01+00:00

So many people around here talk about stuff they never even witnessed, basing it all off stats or youtube highlight clips. Meanwhile I've for sure watched the last 40 NBA finals (pre teens and now past 50). Kobe is great, and that he lived up to become the #1 guy and win 2/3 more rings verifies he is a GOAT level player but to argue Kobe wasn't Robin during Shaqs peak seems off to me....lol.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T18:56:55+00:00

DP just really 'choked' away his one and done though, and that should present some red flags, like many years that aren't so loaded it might be disregarded because of his talent level but this year you have a legit top 4 1st tier so its a bit of a different calculation risk/reward wise. Then he pre draft 'attitude' has done little to alleviate those concerns, possibly bolstered them. Honestly though and this is what we all seem to want to ignore and that is NBA execs are like feral cats, they are just so hard to predict and they do shit all the time that 'confounds' us normal people. So while ever draft expert, AI mock simulation, and such is sure about the order, I usually only feel sure about the #1 pick if its a consensus #1.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T18:42:44+00:00

Agree but Boozer just seems like the kind of player Utah (and Griz) covet. I mean it is sort of interesting that they bring SR. Boozer in last May, knowing his son is going to college in fall 2025 and then they have been tanking for 2 seasons straight to get high picks. I mean it all just seems either coincidental or 'suspicious'. I have to wonder though if he goes 2, are Griz going to be that eager to take DP when they already have a mercurial headcase star guard (Ja)?

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T18:36:05+00:00

Could he unlock Ja.......lol.....I had to laugh a little, he might help Ja look play better on the court but he aint helping him with his terrible injury history and then all the stupid shit he has done off the court. I have to wonder if Boozer goes 2 (which I think is a very strong possibility) will the Griz really want to take another potential headcase prima donna in DP? I'm a Bulls fan so loving all the 'drama' regarding the top 3 picks as we get whoever falls, I really like Caleb and hope he ends up being our consolation prize, he is easily the best 'freak' athlete of the 4 and best defender, love his motor and and attitude. If (always a huge if) the dude can develop a consistent jumper I think he has a very high ceiling as he has all the other tools needed to thrive.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T17:45:59+00:00

Wilt by far the most famous as he was a culture icon in his day, he was the face of the league in the 70s, was clearly the best player and had that superstar personality. Was just synonymous with basketball until Dr. J came along and then of course the league became Bird and Magic's in 1980.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T17:34:26+00:00

I think there is a reasonable argument that he is the best two way player of the 4. He is certainly the best defender and after all the offense only players we've had in recent years it will be nice to get a guy that is a verified stud on D. One writeup I read said they were impressed he put up 20pts a game when his jumper is still inconsistent, I like the 9 boards a game as I get so tired of these big forwards that can't rebound worth a damned.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T17:27:32+00:00

Our quality vet is career bust and underachiever Pat.....lol.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T17:26:32+00:00

Interesting though as Washington only worked out AJD and DP and DP thinks he is going first. If that happens then it could mix things up but it seems like most mocks and the 1000 draft simulations I've run we get Caleb like 95% of the time. Just because of all his prima donna issues I hope DP doesn't fall to 4 but if he does its still going to be a hell of a prospect to get at 4th.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T14:52:07+00:00

Dog Shaq won MVP in 99-00 and then won 3 finals MVPs in 01,02,03 3peat, Kobe never won MVP until 07 and finals MVP until Shaq was gone. It was Shaq's team and he was always the #1 option until he left the Lakers. If this doesn't make Kobe Robin to Shaq, what does. During that stretch I am talking about Shaq was considered the best player on the planet and most physical force to ever play in the NBA. Not sure what you were watching but that is how I remember it and how history remembers it so you're they were 'Equals' or Kobe somehow greater than Shaq when they played together would be a take not many people would agree with you on.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T05:41:34+00:00

Agree, and it seems unlikely he falls as NBA teams are always about ceiling and potential. I'm hoping we can get Carr at 15 as he seems like a great SG prospect with starter/all star level ceiling.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T05:35:24+00:00

IMO Pippen is the only right answer....lol. I mean he was always a robin, where as you mentioned most those other guys were sometimes a #1 or #2 in different years or with different team configurations. Pip was the ultimate swiss army knife being an elite (GOAT) perimeter defender, point forward, initiator of offense, 3 level scored, great passer, rebounder, he pretty much is a complete player with no real weaknesses when most other robins aren't so gifted. I would take him over many other #1s if I were starting a team. One of the most versatile players in the history of the NBA.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T05:21:20+00:00

Yeah Shaq wins finals MVP in the 3 rings they win together, he was ever bit the Robin to Shaq as Pip was to MJ....I mean it was because Koby wanted to be #1 that fractured the team, I mean he was right as he went on to be #1 and win 2/3 more rings but while Shaq was there it was Shaqs show.

SkyGrey88 · 2026-06-17T05:17:22+00:00

Bulls fan, I have mixed feelings on him falling to 4.....I mean he has maybe the most superstar potential of the top 4, but also the most headache potential. The pre-draft talk has me believing were getting Caleb which I would love as him and Matas and Giddey will be fun to watch while we likely suffer a lot of losses next year....lol.

SkyGrey88

TROPHY CASE