The Chicago Bulls own the No. 12 overall pick in the 2025 draft. However, according to new intel, the Bulls want to trade up, and Khaman Maluach could be a potential target.
Maluach is a 7-foot-1, 253-pound 18-year-old from Duke with a defensive presence the likes of which the Bulls have not had, perhaps, since Tyson Chandler. The Bulls were the 13th shortest team in the NBA in 2024-25, per Vegas Insider. They have no 7-footers under contract.
“There have been some fresh whispers … about the Bulls angling to trade up from their No. 12 spot in Wednesday’s draft in pursuit of size,” The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer wrote on June 24.
The Bigs’ Drew Stevens questioned whether Maluach could be the target following the report.
I’ve had plenty of hesitations with Khaman Maluach, but when he’s locked in, his defense is incredible. It is rare that players his size can move like this in space. One of my favorite clips for any prospect this year is his defensive possession at the 2 minute mark.
Maluach
Maluach averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while knocking down a modest but encouraging 4-for-16 looks from beyond the arc.
The last Bulls player to average at least as many blocks was Robin Lopez in 2016-17, per Stathead. The last Bulls draft picks to do it were Joakim Noah and Taj Gibson in 2013-14. Maluach has more mobility than Lopez and greater length than Gibson and Noah.
Whether or not the Bulls can trade up high enough to draft Maluach is another story entirely.
Bulls Face Stiff Competition for Potential Draft Trade Target
GettyKhaman Maluach #9 of the Duke Blue Devils warms up before a game against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
If the Bulls do have eyes for Maluach in the draft, they will need to be aggressive in their approach to finding a trade partner.
They will not be alone.
“The top-rated [center] prospect, Maluach, has visited with the Pelicans, Wizards and Hawks, sources say. The Duke product is also expected to meet with the Jazz before next Wednesday’s Round 1,” Fischer wrote on June 17.
“Does that mean Maluach can go as high as No. 5? The mere question has only added to the skepticism that he will make it to the Raptors at No. 9.”
According to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor, the Hawks are also eyeing a trade up.
“League sources say the Hawks are looking to move way up from this pick and have called teams drafting in the top five,” O’Connor wrote on June 23 as part of a mock draft. “They are targeting a center.
The Hawks are currently slated to go on the clock in the draft one slot after the Bulls, but they also have the No. 22 pick to package in a trade if they want to.
Khaman Maluach a ‘Raw’ But Intriguing Prospect
GettyKhaman Maluach #9 of the Duke Blue Devils dunks the ball during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Baylor Bears.
Maluach’s profile could speak volumes about the kind of player the Bulls may otherwise target either in the draft or via trade this offseason.
“Maluach is a towering rim protector with switchable mobility, erasing shots at the rim and shadowing quick guards on the perimeter,” O’Connor wrote on June 12. “Beyond dunking lobs, he’s a work in progress on offense with a lack of seasoning as a screener, shooter, and creator. Such a raw skill-set should come as no surprise since the South Sudan native didn’t start playing basketball until he was 13.”
Khaman Maluach defensive playmaking.
Opposing scorers shot 45.3% (!) at the rim vs Maluach (6.8% BLK) — exceptional tools (7’5 WS + 9’8 reach) + leaping instinct.
The Bulls still have Nikola Vucevic, who is under contract for one more season.
They also have Jalen Smith for two more seasons. One, most likely Vucevic, could become a candidate for an aggressive trade if the Bulls come away from the draft with Maluach.
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