Ricky O'Donnell
@rickyodonn.bsky.social
Basketball at all levels + programming associate director for SB Nation
Sky No. 5 pick thoughts:
- Roster isn't talented enough to be drafting for need
- Should be able to get a good prospect in this range
- Miles would be amazing but doubt she's there
- Flau'jae is my favorite realistic option
- Can't believe they don't have their 2027 pick either
- Roster isn't talented enough to be drafting for need
- Should be able to get a good prospect in this range
- Miles would be amazing but doubt she's there
- Flau'jae is my favorite realistic option
- Can't believe they don't have their 2027 pick either
November 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Sky No. 5 pick thoughts:
- Roster isn't talented enough to be drafting for need
- Should be able to get a good prospect in this range
- Miles would be amazing but doubt she's there
- Flau'jae is my favorite realistic option
- Can't believe they don't have their 2027 pick either
- Roster isn't talented enough to be drafting for need
- Should be able to get a good prospect in this range
- Miles would be amazing but doubt she's there
- Flau'jae is my favorite realistic option
- Can't believe they don't have their 2027 pick either
If the Bulls are to be considered a remotely serious team, they need to go 6-1 on this stretch.
Currently the only team above .500 with a negative point-differential. They did pretty well surviving some tough games without Coby, but it won't mean anything if they blow the easy ones.
Currently the only team above .500 with a negative point-differential. They did pretty well surviving some tough games without Coby, but it won't mean anything if they blow the easy ones.
November 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
If the Bulls are to be considered a remotely serious team, they need to go 6-1 on this stretch.
Currently the only team above .500 with a negative point-differential. They did pretty well surviving some tough games without Coby, but it won't mean anything if they blow the easy ones.
Currently the only team above .500 with a negative point-differential. They did pretty well surviving some tough games without Coby, but it won't mean anything if they blow the easy ones.
Wrote about 6 young NBA players playing like first-time All-Stars to open the season
www.sbnation.com/nba/1091293/...
www.sbnation.com/nba/1091293/...
NBA’s 6 first-time All-Stars based on performance in 2025-26 season
These six young NBA players are playing like first-time All-Stars.
www.sbnation.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Wrote about 6 young NBA players playing like first-time All-Stars to open the season
www.sbnation.com/nba/1091293/...
www.sbnation.com/nba/1091293/...
Reposted by Ricky O'Donnell
Dying at this Nikola Vucevic postgame interview after the Bulls stole a win against the Wizards
November 23, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Dying at this Nikola Vucevic postgame interview after the Bulls stole a win against the Wizards
How it feels to watch the Chicago Bulls
November 23, 2025 at 2:29 AM
How it feels to watch the Chicago Bulls
Zion .... get the ball to Derik Queen. It's not your team anymore.
Derik Queen giving buckets to his old high school teammate Cooper Flagg. Flagg isn't stopping all that.
November 22, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Zion .... get the ball to Derik Queen. It's not your team anymore.
Derik Queen giving buckets to his old high school teammate Cooper Flagg. Flagg isn't stopping all that.
November 22, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Derik Queen giving buckets to his old high school teammate Cooper Flagg. Flagg isn't stopping all that.
Not the best half from Matas, but two nice takes at the end of the second quarter. He's so good in transition, and that's a very nice lefty drive + finish.
November 22, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Not the best half from Matas, but two nice takes at the end of the second quarter. He's so good in transition, and that's a very nice lefty drive + finish.
With the early EPM returns out, Jalen Smith is the highest-ranked Bulls player at No. 43 overall. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding per 100 possessions among qualified players and is third in 3PA. He's also only played 20+ minutes once this year. Would love to see him get a longer leash.
November 21, 2025 at 10:54 PM
With the early EPM returns out, Jalen Smith is the highest-ranked Bulls player at No. 43 overall. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding per 100 possessions among qualified players and is third in 3PA. He's also only played 20+ minutes once this year. Would love to see him get a longer leash.
Devastated to report my wife does NOT endorse my Cameron Winter impression on "Au Pays du Cocaine," specifically the 'Like a sailor in a big green boat / Like a sailor in a big green coat' part. I think I'm crushing it
November 21, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Devastated to report my wife does NOT endorse my Cameron Winter impression on "Au Pays du Cocaine," specifically the 'Like a sailor in a big green boat / Like a sailor in a big green coat' part. I think I'm crushing it
Came up with some fake LaMelo Ball trades, and I don't like any of them! www.sbnation.com/nba/1091206/...
3 LaMelo Ball trade ideas for desperate NBA teams stuck in a rut
Here are three fake LaMelo Ball trades with the point guard ready to move on from Charlotte.
www.sbnation.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Came up with some fake LaMelo Ball trades, and I don't like any of them! www.sbnation.com/nba/1091206/...
Reposted by Ricky O'Donnell
NEW #CashConsiderations w/ @rickyodonn.bsky.social on the Cardiac Bulls, the NBA's most bonkers team.
-- Salvaging the road trip with insane Nuggets/Blazers wins after brutal Pistons/Jazz Ls.
-- Coby is back and better than ever.
-- What's up with Matas?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
-- Salvaging the road trip with insane Nuggets/Blazers wins after brutal Pistons/Jazz Ls.
-- Coby is back and better than ever.
-- What's up with Matas?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
Coby White returns to Cardiac Bulls
Podcast Episode · Cash Considerations: A Chicago Bulls Pod · 11/21/2025 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
November 21, 2025 at 3:08 PM
NEW #CashConsiderations w/ @rickyodonn.bsky.social on the Cardiac Bulls, the NBA's most bonkers team.
-- Salvaging the road trip with insane Nuggets/Blazers wins after brutal Pistons/Jazz Ls.
-- Coby is back and better than ever.
-- What's up with Matas?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
-- Salvaging the road trip with insane Nuggets/Blazers wins after brutal Pistons/Jazz Ls.
-- Coby is back and better than ever.
-- What's up with Matas?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
From JUCO ball to Rick Pitino project to Pistons breakout role player, I wrote about Daniss Jenkins as the NBA's biggest early season surprise:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1090804/...
www.sbnation.com/nba/1090804/...
Meet Daniss Jenkins, the Rick Pitino project that became NBA’s breakout success story
Rick Pitino pulled him out of JUCO ball. Now Daniss Jenkins is the feel-good story of the Pistons’ hot start.
www.sbnation.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:15 PM
From JUCO ball to Rick Pitino project to Pistons breakout role player, I wrote about Daniss Jenkins as the NBA's biggest early season surprise:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1090804/...
www.sbnation.com/nba/1090804/...
My Nate Oates is the best potential NBA coach at the college level take continues undeterred
November 20, 2025 at 3:52 AM
My Nate Oates is the best potential NBA coach at the college level take continues undeterred
I'm blown away by the talent level of this Illinois team. Alabama math ball keeping them in it, but outside of Philon, the Illini have all the interesting players. Going to be very fun to see how this team comes together, especially if they can get Petrovic going as a pick-and-roll creator
November 20, 2025 at 3:10 AM
I'm blown away by the talent level of this Illinois team. Alabama math ball keeping them in it, but outside of Philon, the Illini have all the interesting players. Going to be very fun to see how this team comes together, especially if they can get Petrovic going as a pick-and-roll creator
Illinois has an absolute stud in David Mirkovic. Intersection of size/motor/skill is extremely rare for a college four. He may be on an All-American trajectory
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Illinois has an absolute stud in David Mirkovic. Intersection of size/motor/skill is extremely rare for a college four. He may be on an All-American trajectory
They got the Alan Parsons Project for the Illinois' starting lineup intros, can't recall seeing that before
November 20, 2025 at 2:13 AM
They got the Alan Parsons Project for the Illinois' starting lineup intros, can't recall seeing that before
Pumped to be in the gym for Illinois vs. Alabama at the United Center. Feels like a Sweet 16 game in November.
Big Z getting loose. One of many weapons on this Illini team
Big Z getting loose. One of many weapons on this Illini team
November 20, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Pumped to be in the gym for Illinois vs. Alabama at the United Center. Feels like a Sweet 16 game in November.
Big Z getting loose. One of many weapons on this Illini team
Big Z getting loose. One of many weapons on this Illini team
Still a good Cam Boozer game, but I'm surprised he's having so much trouble finishing around the rim. He looked more explosive at the high school level, but seems pretty below-the-rim right now. Would like to see him get more driving chances or looks as a roller, but still left a big winning impact.
November 19, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Still a good Cam Boozer game, but I'm surprised he's having so much trouble finishing around the rim. He looked more explosive at the high school level, but seems pretty below-the-rim right now. Would like to see him get more driving chances or looks as a roller, but still left a big winning impact.
This has been the most clairvoyant take on the Bulls this season
Bulls losing leverage by the day, extend this man: www.blogabull.com/p/if-you-lov...
November 18, 2025 at 5:59 PM
This has been the most clairvoyant take on the Bulls this season
@petegain.es all the Kansas fans seem convinced that Peterson is sitting out the season but I'm pretty sure they just don't realize that a hamstring strain is actually bad? Do you have a non-delusional KU fan take on this?
November 18, 2025 at 5:39 PM
@petegain.es all the Kansas fans seem convinced that Peterson is sitting out the season but I'm pretty sure they just don't realize that a hamstring strain is actually bad? Do you have a non-delusional KU fan take on this?
The Bulls are of course not good enough to be drafting for fit, but their biggest need is definitely center. I'd say it's the weakest position in this class, but a few guys in my mock:
Jayden Quaintance - Kentucky
Patrick Ngongba - Duke
Chris Cenac - Houston
Aday Mara - Michigan
Malachi Moreno - UK
Jayden Quaintance - Kentucky
Patrick Ngongba - Duke
Chris Cenac - Houston
Aday Mara - Michigan
Malachi Moreno - UK
More importantly who do you think is a good fit for the Bulls in their usual play in range.
November 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
The Bulls are of course not good enough to be drafting for fit, but their biggest need is definitely center. I'd say it's the weakest position in this class, but a few guys in my mock:
Jayden Quaintance - Kentucky
Patrick Ngongba - Duke
Chris Cenac - Houston
Aday Mara - Michigan
Malachi Moreno - UK
Jayden Quaintance - Kentucky
Patrick Ngongba - Duke
Chris Cenac - Houston
Aday Mara - Michigan
Malachi Moreno - UK
Favorite fits in this mock:
Pacers - Cameron Boozer
Wizards - Darryn Peterson
Grizzlies - Neokis Avadalas
Heat - Dame Sarr
Warriors - Aday Mara
Raptors - Kingston Flemings
Spurs - Paul McNeil
Pacers - Cameron Boozer
Wizards - Darryn Peterson
Grizzlies - Neokis Avadalas
Heat - Dame Sarr
Warriors - Aday Mara
Raptors - Kingston Flemings
Spurs - Paul McNeil
New NBA mock draft from me. Featuring nearly 5K words of analysis on this class.
This is mostly how my board looks right now. Here's where I stand on the top-3 at the moment, plus who's rising and falling since the start of the season:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1089527/...
This is mostly how my board looks right now. Here's where I stand on the top-3 at the moment, plus who's rising and falling since the start of the season:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1089527/...
NBA mock draft 2026: Updated projection as ‘Big 3’ tank race heats up
Here’s an updated 2026 NBA mock draft.
www.sbnation.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Favorite fits in this mock:
Pacers - Cameron Boozer
Wizards - Darryn Peterson
Grizzlies - Neokis Avadalas
Heat - Dame Sarr
Warriors - Aday Mara
Raptors - Kingston Flemings
Spurs - Paul McNeil
Pacers - Cameron Boozer
Wizards - Darryn Peterson
Grizzlies - Neokis Avadalas
Heat - Dame Sarr
Warriors - Aday Mara
Raptors - Kingston Flemings
Spurs - Paul McNeil
New NBA mock draft from me. Featuring nearly 5K words of analysis on this class.
This is mostly how my board looks right now. Here's where I stand on the top-3 at the moment, plus who's rising and falling since the start of the season:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1089527/...
This is mostly how my board looks right now. Here's where I stand on the top-3 at the moment, plus who's rising and falling since the start of the season:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1089527/...
NBA mock draft 2026: Updated projection as ‘Big 3’ tank race heats up
Here’s an updated 2026 NBA mock draft.
www.sbnation.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:12 PM
New NBA mock draft from me. Featuring nearly 5K words of analysis on this class.
This is mostly how my board looks right now. Here's where I stand on the top-3 at the moment, plus who's rising and falling since the start of the season:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1089527/...
This is mostly how my board looks right now. Here's where I stand on the top-3 at the moment, plus who's rising and falling since the start of the season:
www.sbnation.com/nba/1089527/...
The Bulls are not “good” but they have eliminated most of their loser energy over the last year and play the same breakneck style whether they are up 20 or down 20. They will at least not be boring when it starts getting really cold out
November 18, 2025 at 4:56 AM
The Bulls are not “good” but they have eliminated most of their loser energy over the last year and play the same breakneck style whether they are up 20 or down 20. They will at least not be boring when it starts getting really cold out