The Chicago Bulls had their fingers crossed for a miracle in their own backyard during the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery, but the basketball gods had other plans. With a 1.7% shot at landing the No. 1 pick, Bulls fans watched in pain as the Dallas Mavericks, who only had a 1.8% chance, won the top prize.
While this means the Cooper Flagg dream is now dead for the Bulls, Chicago still has the 12th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. While it is not ideal, it is definitely not the worst position to be in.
Chicago Bulls Predicted To Select Maryland’s Derik Queen in Recent NBA Mock Draft
Maryland Terrapins star big man Derik Queen, who was a five-star prospect in high school, is likely to go to Chicago, according to recent mock drafts. According to our colleagues at PFSN, Chicago is primed to select Queen at No. 12. But why Queen?
DERIK QUEEN FTW 😱
OH MY GOODNESS 🤯#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/06QRH6eK3R
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 24, 2025
Chicago might be on the verge of trading veteran big man Nikola Vučević. This would mean a complete rebuild. While the backcourt seems pretty good, there is a massive gap in the frontcourt. And that’s where Queen comes in.
The Maryland star brings good footwork, smart playmaking, and serious post presence to the table. In his mock draft for PFSN, writer Priyanshu Choudhary said, “Queen could be the next center to become the offensive hub for his team.”
ClutchPoints writer Brett Siegel has Queen ranked 13th and points to a slight drop in his stock. Questions about his shot-making have pushed him down. His performance at the NBA Combine was described as slow-footed, which did not help. However, not all hope is dead.
Queen’s story as a freshman at Maryland is one that scouts are likely to take into account. He averaged 16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and hit the game-winner against Colorado State in the NCAA Tournament to take his team to the Sweet Sixteen. And that is no fluke.
RELATED: Is Derik Queen Being Overlooked in the Cooper Flagg Draft Frenzy?
Bleacher Report also shows Queen floating near the Bulls’ 12th pick. But with the slight dip in his stocks, BR’s Jonathan Wasserman sees him falling to No. 13 and getting picked by Atlanta. If he’s still on the board at No. 12, Chicago might just take him, though.
After three straight years of play-in heartbreak, the Bulls fan base is restless and wants to make the playoffs. There have been no big trades, no bold moves, just unfortunate moments.
But a pick like Queen, coupled with a Vucevic trade, could change things. With the NBA Draft just a few weeks away, Chicago has a real chance to change its trajectory.
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