As a Chicago-based data analyst with 5 years of NBA modeling experience, I’ve seen how draft picks—once overlooked in early rounds—become benchwarmers. This year, I’m not just guessing who it’ll be. I’m running the numbers: scouting probabilities, tracking developmental trajectories, and visualizing the silent patterns behind every late-round selection. The truth isn’t romantic—it’s recursive. And the board? It’s colder than you think.