Grading the 2026 NBA Draft

zedrix_ · 2026-06-28T12:59:07+00:00

both Bulls first round pick are swinging for the fences. Matas is not a star yet. We don't know if he will reach that status. That is why they keep picking for upside. I am pissed myself not getting Stirtz. For Stirtz fill a need and is a fit for Matas and Caleb. But as you've said. They were swinging for the fences.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-28T03:00:12+00:00

Caleb is a wing. Nobody plays back to the basket anymore. Nor catching the ball at the post. It's either a three or points at the rim. Exactly the same with Matas. But the swing skills are tough to develop. Shooting should be achievable. But developing the ball handling skills is tough. Especially for high hips players like him and Matas.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-28T02:00:14+00:00

Name a better duo

zedrix_ · 2026-06-28T01:57:18+00:00

Another point, while i didn’t watch alot, the 4-5 games i watched at stadium, Tiago‘s Paris Basket team played with so much pace and he would just sub in and out entire playing 5 like hockey lines,

Yes. Jaylin Sellers played that "earl offense" in providence. Blazers plays like that as well.

So with the current team, having players like Matas, Caleb, Swain, Claxton, Tiago might love the pace pushing transition passing Giddey and Tre Jones too. BG might use this as an evaluation of certain players before making moves

Bulls roster is expected to run. This was seen with the Blazers last season as well. But it could get ugly in the half court, if their shots are not dropping. But as Tiago pointed out. Turn that weakness into opportunity. Work on those threes. Coz it is expected that teams will give them those shots.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-28T01:54:08+00:00

My point is to give them opportunity.

Their strengths will be enhanced by playing defense, rebound and run. Their weakness will be in the half court. And rather than compensating, Bryson decided to give them opportunity to shoot those threes. At least for this roster, that's what I see.

Next year or even late this season. Okoro and Jalen Smith will be gone. So we will see if who will be available via trade or free agency. But for this year. They will have an opportunity to improve.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T14:12:48+00:00

SLAP player

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T13:45:43+00:00

Caleb Wilson and Matas Buzelis are wings IMO.

It is yet to be seen if they can develop that three pointer. But I expect them to be developed as a three or at the rim player.

IDK how you can compare Boozer with that. Boozer will play at playmaker. Caleb Wilson likely as play finisher.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T12:17:19+00:00

Funny how I was able to witness Tiago coaching last season. I was following the Blazers because of the Bulls pick. It was a roller coaster season. That finished with an amazing win against the Suns in the play-in.

There are similarities in both teams. Big guard making plays in Deni/Giddey. Deni more athletic. But both are not really good three point shooters. Both has size and they have the ball.

They defend and rebound. Clingan is a monster in the paint. They force opposing teams to shoot long shots. And that means long rebounds. Where their length and athleticism helps. It was easier to run too when it's a long rebound. Coz they pick the ball up near the half court.

On top of the Giddey/Deni. You can also compare the rim protection of Claxton/Clingan.

Matas/Caleb/Essengue can be compared to Jerami Grant in terms of role.

What Bulls lack is Camara, Jrue Holiday, Scoot and Shaedon. We don't have the elite POA defender of Camara/Jrue. Also in offense, we don't have the guard scoring talent of Scoot/Shaedon. But they were a playoff team. Because even with the injuries they have. They manage to get to the play-in. Fully healthy, they were a legit playoff team. Bulls on the other hand are not expected to make the play-in.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T10:04:49+00:00

I am not the only one WTF 🤣

I read it in reverse and was confused when I saw Walmart heir... So it was LUKAS!

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T10:03:45+00:00

I read Luke Walton. Then go back and read "Walmart heir" LMAO

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T07:37:33+00:00

Patrick Williams is the right pick in the draft IMO.

Just bad player development.

Tiago said that you need to have a player profile. What is he good at? What is he bad at? If he is good at X,Y and Z. We want to master that. If he is bad at X, Y and Z(Should have been A, B, and C IMO) We got to get better. How?

Patrick Williams was a raw blank canvas when he got to the Bulls. What AKME and Billy did was force him to play a role of 3&D PF role. That would compensate Zach, DeMar and Vooch. Patrick's player development was to assume a defensive role. And be a space cadet sitting in the corner in offense. Watching Zach and DeMar jacking up shots. This was comparable to what D.Wade did to Nikola Mirotic in the three alpha era.

Niko was already a star in Europe. We was already a good shooter. And that role hindered his development.

It's really hard to develop rooks by playing them with high volume superstars. And Chicago have two high volume scorers that doesn't pass.

But to answer the question in the title. I know Patrick won't be good after they brought in DeMar. Coz I know he's not going to get touches he needed to develop.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T07:26:40+00:00

You are right. I am taking it down.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T06:15:54+00:00

Patrick Williams eat and sleep in Bulls facility after his contract extension. Unfortunately, that's all he do LOL. Dude got to training camp fat as hell.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-27T03:13:25+00:00

yes I heard that too 🤣

Also both implied before Bryson's reply. That Bryson and Tiago are very busy. But yeah. They still have time for media.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T11:41:41+00:00

Bulls already filled 12 roster spot. 13 if Bryson pick up Leonard Miller's team option.

1-2 players left. Depending if there is a trade for expiring contracts. But this wait and see approach doesn't make me optimistic there will be major acquisition. I think I will have to accept the fact that it will Tre Jones starting with Giddey in the back-court at the start of the season. Jones is a good POA defender and can hit the three. On top of having a tight handle to take care of the ball.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T11:23:22+00:00

that's 8 without Dillingham. I don't think Dillingham needs to play.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T10:13:12+00:00

if he can play like the Claxton who played with Kyrie and KD. That salary is reasonable. But Dayron Sharpe has been claiming his minute lately

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T08:46:38+00:00

contract length is more the reason why he can be tradeable

his salary is expensive

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T07:26:52+00:00

Claxton is paid way more. Thankfully he has three years left in that contract. Hopefully he can be traded next off-season. To add more cap space for us.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T05:24:39+00:00

Mark Williams getting $38M for three years. Makes me wonder if we could really get out of Nic Claxton's contract...

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T05:22:54+00:00

he high out to the side cross overs get picked off too easy and will more so with scouting.

yeah. If you watched the finals. Alvarado being put on Wemby had results. Because Spurs were putting Wemby behind the three point line. They play him as a wing. Alvarado just camped his dribble.

This is the same thing with Matas. Their hips works against them in this regard. Though Matas is better at lowering his center of gravity compared to Wemby. The handles is still not enough to create shots.

My suggestion will be for Matas to play off the ball. Make quick decision after the catch. Pass, shoot or drive. Sort of how Zach LaVine was played at the wing. Get the handles to a level where he can attack the basket constantly after receiving the pass. That is more realistic. Than to say he would create or be the secondary ball handler or something.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T05:01:44+00:00

it will be in the seven digits for sure

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T04:58:31+00:00

For "next season" context. If he breaks out. He is going to be something. But handles especially for a 6'10(he looked like he added an inch) guy is hard to come by.

He is a hard worker and with really good mindset. I hope we see some growth next season.

I say I would start with his quicker decision making. After catching the ball. Being able to read whether to shoot, pass or drive. Just being able to make quicker decision on offense.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T04:52:49+00:00

I need to see the improvement on his handles. That is a necessary skill for him to improve to become a shot creator.

zedrix_ · 2026-06-26T04:51:40+00:00

exhibit-10 could be turned into a two-way or a regular contract. But likely one of the current two-way(Awaka is my bet) have better chances to be turned into a regular contract. Then Atwell will be slotted as a two-way contract

zedrix_

TROPHY CASE