Bulls Predicted To Replace Former All-Star with Duke Star

The Chicago Bulls predicted to land Duke freshman Khaman Maluach in recent 2025 NBA Mock Draft

Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9), forward Cooper Flagg (2) and guard Isaiah Evans (3) celebrate on the bench during the second half against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

While the Chicago Bulls season isn't over yet, with a chance to make the playoffs through the play-in tournament being a reality, it's clear the team is focused on building for the future around young players like Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis. Therefore, the release of 2025 NBA Mock Drafts should be of interest to Bulls fans going forward.

Given the Bulls have plenty of depth at the guard position, the team should be looking to address wing and center depth during the upcoming draft. Especially with Nikola Vucevic expected to be a trade target this summer, Bleacher Report has them selecting the successor to the former All-Star in their 2025 NBA Mock Draft.

Two blocks for Khaman Maluach today, but his rim-protection prowess goes much further than that. He changes so many shots inside the paint with his 7'6 wingspan and tremendous timing that opponents sometimes avoid challenging him altogether. pic.twitter.com/4VGfgQxFHJ

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) March 24, 2025

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman has the Bulls selecting Duke Blue Devils freshman star Khaman Maluach with the 10th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The NBA Academy Africa product, Maluach has been the starting center for the Blue Devils this season and has helped lead them to Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.

"His 7'2" size, 7'6" wingspan and mobility all point to a sure-fire roll-man, dunker's spot and offensive rebounding weapon," Wasserman wrote. Being compared to Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams, landing Maluach could help Chicago improve their league-worst 54.0 opponent points in the paint allowed per game.

Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Khaman Maluach (9) dunks the ball during the second half against the Baylor Bears in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

As for the center position on the Bulls going forward beyond Vucevic, Jalen Smith and Zach Collins are both under contract for Chicago going into the 2025-26 season. But if Chicago can land Maluach, he'll be in a great spot to develop under a great playmaking guard in Giddey.

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