Chicago Bulls: 3 Best Options for the No. 12 Pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.

The Chicago Bulls head into the 2025 NBA Draft with the No. 12 overall pick—an important opportunity for a franchise seeking to rebuild and redefine its identity. After another underwhelming season marked by inconsistency and questions about the team’s core, the Bulls find themselves at a crossroads. With Zach LaVine’s long-term future uncertain, Nikola Vučević aging, and Lonzo Ball still recovering from injury, the team needs to invest in young, high-upside talent that can either contribute immediately or develop into a star down the road.

At No. 12, Chicago is unlikely to land a surefire superstar, but recent history shows that valuable contributors can be found in this range. The Bulls must balance need and potential, especially in areas where their roster lacks depth—namely point guard playmaking, interior defense, and shooting consistency. Based on positional need, upside, and fit, here are the three best options for the Bulls at No. 12 in the 2025 NBA Draft.

1. Labaron Philon – Guard, Alabama

Position: Combo Guard
Height: 6’4”
Strengths: Defense, court vision, hustle, leadership
Weaknesses: Perimeter shooting consistency

Overview:
Labaron Philon is one of the most well-rounded guards projected to be available in the mid-first round. A fierce competitor and leader, Philon has the mentality of a seasoned pro, bringing intense on-ball defense, sharp instincts, and underrated passing ability. He stood out at Alabama for his hustle plays, ability to guard multiple positions, and smart decision-making on both ends of the court. While he doesn’t project as an elite scorer, he excels at controlling the pace and setting the tone for his team.

Why He Fits with the Bulls:
The Bulls have long struggled with perimeter defense, often relying on effort from players like Alex Caruso (who may not be part of the team’s long-term plans) and inconsistent contributors off the bench. Philon’s defensive mindset would bring toughness and intensity to a backcourt that desperately needs it.

Moreover, with Lonzo Ball’s status unclear and Coby White more of a scoring guard, Philon could serve as a long-term solution at point guard or a strong rotational piece alongside White and Ayo Dosunmu. His playmaking could unlock better offensive spacing for LaVine (if retained) and DeMar DeRozan (if re-signed or extended). If Philon can improve his shooting mechanics, he has the potential to be a two-way starter in the NBA.

2. Khaman Maluach – Center, Duke

Position: Center
Height: 7’2”
Strengths: Shot-blocking, rim protection, interior finishing
Weaknesses: Offensive polish, experience, foul trouble

Overview:
One of the most intriguing international prospects in the 2025 class, Khaman Maluach brings raw physical tools that few players possess. At 7’2” with a massive wingspan and impressive agility for his size, Maluach has been a dominant force as a shot-blocker and lob finisher. He’s shown flashes of solid footwork and rebounding instincts, but his offensive game is still a work in progress. Having played a season at Duke to prepare for the NBA, he’s learned to adjust to faster, more physical competition and improved his discipline in defending without fouling.

Why He Fits with the Bulls:
Nikola Vučević’s decline in defensive mobility and shot-blocking has hurt the Bulls in recent seasons. The team lacks a true rim protector, and Maluach could address that deficiency immediately. His presence in the paint would help cover for perimeter lapses and make life easier for slashers by running the floor and providing vertical spacing as a lob threat.

Maluach likely won’t be an instant 30-minute contributor, but the Bulls could afford to bring him along slowly behind Vučević or in a timeshare. If he continues to develop his offensive footwork and learns to stretch the floor, he could become a modern NBA center in the mold of Jaren Jackson Jr. or a more agile Rudy Gobert.

Given that elite defensive centers are rare and highly valued, selecting Maluach could give Chicago a defensive anchor for years to come.

3. Jeremiah Fears – Point Guard, Oklahoma

Position: Point Guard
Height: 6’4”
Strengths: Ball-handling, mid-range scoring, playmaking
Weaknesses: Three-point shooting, defensive consistency

Overview:
Jeremiah Fears is a high-upside guard who can create for himself and others with ease. With silky ball-handling, a tight handle, and an advanced feel for the game, he often looks like a veteran playmaker despite his age. Fears thrives in pick-and-roll situations and has shown an excellent ability to manipulate defenders with craft rather than pure athleticism. Although his three-point shot is still inconsistent, he’s a tough shot-maker and doesn’t shy away from big moments.

Why He Fits with the Bulls:
Chicago has not had a stable, long-term point guard since Derrick Rose. Coby White has improved, but he functions best as a scoring guard rather than a traditional floor general. Jeremiah Fears could bring much-needed playmaking stability, and his potential as a creative passer and shot-creator fits a team that often stagnates in half-court offense.

Offensively, Fears could help unlock more efficient scoring for DeRozan and LaVine (if either stays) and set up shooters like Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry. While his defense is a work in progress, the Bulls can build schemes to cover his weaknesses, especially if paired with defensive-minded wings.

He also brings something intangible that this Bulls core has often lacked: poise and confidence in crunch time. If his shooting improves and he bulks up physically, Fears could become a long-term lead guard with All-Star potential.

Honorable Mentions

• Tyler Smith (Forward, G League Ignite): A versatile 3-and-D forward who could provide wing depth and size but may lack the upside of the top three.
• Kyle Filipowski (Center, Duke): Skilled offensive big, but defensive questions may scare off the Bulls considering their needs.
• Ron Holland (Wing, G League Ignite): High-energy wing with defensive upside, though shooting remains an issue.

Conclusion

The No. 12 pick in the NBA Draft rarely yields franchise-altering talent, but the Bulls can still make a crucial addition to their young core. Whether they opt for a defensive anchor like Khaman Maluach, a floor general like Jeremiah Fears, or a gritty two-way guard like Labaron Philon, Chicago must draft with a long-term vision in mind. With uncertainty surrounding much of their current roster and limited cap flexibility, this draft pick could play a pivotal role in reshaping the Bulls’ identity.

Prioritizing upside, fit, and character, these three players offer the best mix of talent and potential impact. If the Bulls make the right call, they might just find the next cornerstone for their franchise—one who can help them escape mediocrity and return to contention in the Eastern Conference.

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